<H3>• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 02 August 2014 </H3>

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In the week ending August 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 289,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 302,000 to 303,000. The 4-week moving average was 293,500, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since February 25, 2006 when it was 290,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.9 percent for the week ending July 26, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending July 26 was 2,518,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week's revised level. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending July 19 were in Puerto Rico (4.2), New Jersey (3.4), Alaska (3.2), Connecticut (3.1), Pennsylvania (3.0), California (2.8), Massachusetts (2.6), Nevada (2.6), Rhode Island (2.6), Illinois (2.3), Virgin Islands (2.3), and Maryland (2.2). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 26 were in Washington (+426), New Jersey (+346), Maryland (+119), Rhode Island (+96), and Oregon (+82), while the largest decreases were in Michigan (-3,773), Ohio (- 2,701), New York (-2,375), South Carolina (-2,263), and Pennsylvania (-2,224). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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