Jobless Claims Declined Last Week

Washington, DC, November 10, 2016—In the week ending November 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 254,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 265,000.

The four-week moving average was 259,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 257,750 to 258,000.

There were no special factors impacting this week's initial claims. This marks 88 consecutive weeks of initial claims below 300,000, the longest streak since 1970.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.5% for the week ending October 29, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending October 29 was 2,041,000, an increase of 18,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 3,000 from 2,026,000 to 2,023,000. The four-week moving average was 2,039,500, a decrease of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since July 1, 2000 when it was 2,036,500. The previous week's average was revised down by 750 from 2,042,500 to 2,041,750.