Thursday, May 19, 2011

Jobless Claims

Far fewer applied for unemployment benefits the May/14 week than expected. This is a good thing; it supports our view that employment activity ahead will trend higher.

Some observers noted that higher gasoline prices discouraged the employer. Those prices discouraged spending as we predicted in late February, but had little if any impact on employment decisions.


Robert Craven

2 comments:

  1. What are the stats on people whose unemployment benefit has expired and they are still looking for work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unemployment insurance programs are administered by states and each decides as to amount and duration. States vary, anywhere from 46 - 79 weeks. The so-called Household Survey, a questionnaire by the BLS, does capture those unemployed past 27 weeks but goes no further, does not break that down. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t12.htm

    Long-term jobless without benefits, make up about 9% of the unemployed according to an OECD estimate.

    ReplyDelete