Initial Jobless Claims Remain Low.

Jobless Claims

– Initial Claims (seasonally adjusted) 312,000. Previous was 318,000

– Initial Claims (not seasonally adjusted) were 300,193 a decrease of 13,178 from the previous week

– 4-week Moving Average 311,750. Previous was 315,500

Jobless claims remain low but are only part of the bigger jobs picture.

 

Philadelphia Federal Reserve Survey  (June 2014)

– General Business Conditions Index 17.8. Previous was 15.4.  This indicates growth. This is a survey index.

Leading Indicators  (May 2014)

– Leading Indicators +0.5%. Previous was +0.3%.

This index is published by the Conference Board and is a rehash of 10 pieces of data.  The Fed’s near-zero interest rate and QE policies have kept the data strong without any significant growth in economic activity.