Initial Jobless Claims down.

Initial Jobless Claims (week ended 3/28/2015)

– New Claims (seasonally adjusted) 268,000. Previous was 288,000
– New Claims  unadjusted, totaled 240,471 a decrease of 7,561 from previous
– 4-week Moving Average  285,500. Previous was 300,250.

This is the 2nd lowest new claims number in 15 years.

Challenger Job-Cut Report (March 2015)

– Announced Layoffs  36,594. Previous was 50,579

 

International Trade  (February 2015)

– Trade Deficit  $35.4 billion.  Previous was $42.7 billion.

Exports and Imports both declined.  This is February data. Imports were affected by the dock workers strike on the West Coast.  That strike lasted until February 21.

 

Gallup US Payroll to Population  (March 2015)

– level  44.1. Previous was  43.9.

This metric has a seasonal variation. It rises in the Spring and Summer and falls in the Autumn and Winter.

 

Factory Orders  (February 2015)

– Factory Orders month/month +0.2%. Previous was -0.7%.

Factory Orders include oil and this increase may be largely about increased oil prices.