Trade Deficit Down. Initial Jobless Claims Down.

Initial Jobless Claims (week ended 11/3)

New Claims – Level  355,000.  Previous was 363,000.
4-week Moving Average –  370,5000. Previous was 368,000.

Not much news there.  Jobless Claims could increased in the next report as Sandy’s impact is felt.

Trade Balance (September 2012)

Trade Deficit -$41.5 billion.  Previous month was -$44.2 billion.  Lower oil prices were partly responsible for the lower trade deficit.