*SCALPSWINGSTRADDLE*

[Zephyr]

Jobless Claims
Released On 1/15/2015 8:30:00 AM For wk1/10, 2015
Prior Prior Revised Consensus Consensus Range Actual
New Claims - Level 294 K 297 K 295 K 281 K to 325 K 316 K
4-week Moving Average - Level 290.50 K 291.25 K 298.00 K
New Claims - Change -4 K -1 K 19 K
Highlights
Jobless claims jumped sharply in the January 10 week, up 19,000 to a 316,000 level that's the highest since September. The 4-week average is up 6,750 to 298,000 which is about even with the month-ago comparison.

Data on continuing claims, which are reported with a 1-week lag, are mixed. Continuing claims fell 51,000 in the January 3 week to 2.424 million but the 4-week average rose 12,000 to 2.415 million in a comparison that is also about even with a month ago.

There are no special factors in today's report though the jump in initial claims could be tied to first-of-the-year volatility, a possibility that may limit the report's impact on today's markets.



Weekly series fluctuate more dramatically than monthly series even when the series are adjusted for seasonal variation. The 4-week moving average gives a better perspective on the underlying trend.
Data Source: Haver Analytics