Markets

Fewer Americans Seek Unemployment Benefits, Surprising Economists

Fewer Americans Seek Unemployment Benefits, Surprising Economists
Workers stand at the edge of a construction site in Los Angeles on May 1, 2017. David McNew/Getty Images
Petr Svab
Petr Svab
reporter
|Updated:

Fewer Americans signed up for unemployment benefits in the week ending Jan. 12, surprising economists who predicted an increase.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 213,000, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated on Jan. 17 (pdf). Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to 220,000.
Petr Svab
Petr Svab
reporter
Petr Svab is a reporter covering New York. Previously, he covered national topics including politics, economy, education, and law enforcement.
twitter
Related Topics