*SCALPSWINGSTRADDLE*

[Zephyr]

Jobless Claims
Released On 3/27/2014 8:30:00 AM For wk3/22, 2014
Prior Prior Revised Consensus Consensus Range Actual
New Claims - Level 320 K 321 K 323 K 295 K to 335 K 311 K
4-week Moving Average - Level 327.00 K 327.25 K 317.75 K
New Claims - Change 5 K 6 K -10 K
Highlights
Jobless claims continue to come down signaling improvement in the labor market. Initial claims fell 10,000 in the March 22 week to 311,000 which is 12,000 below the Econoday consensus. The 4-week average is down a very sharp 9,500 to 317,750 which is the lowest level in 6 months.

Continuing claims are also coming down, down 53,000 in data for the March 15 week. The 4-week average is down 31,000 to 2.863 million which is the lowest level in 3 months. The unemployment rate for insured workers is unchanged for a fourth week at 2.2 percent.

There are no special factors in today's report, one that should build confidence for a favorable March employment report.