Applications for unemployment benefits in the US fell more than forecast

According to the US Department of Labor, the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits for the week ended September 4 decreased by 35 thousand compared to the revised figure of the previous week – to 310 thousand. Analysts expected a decrease to 335 thousand.

The number of applications for the week ended August 28 was revised to 345 thousand from 340 thousand. Moreover, the rate of decline was the strongest since the end of June.

At the same time, the total number of people receiving unemployment benefits in the United States fell by 22 thousand from the previous week – to 2.783 million people. The indicator of the previous week was revised up to 2.805 million from 2.748 million people.

In addition, statistics on the number of open vacancies (JOLTS) for July were published in the United States yesterday: these data significantly exceeded expectations. The consensus forecast assumed a reduction in the indicator, but in fact it increased by 749 thousand m/m, reaching 10.9 million. 

The most active dynamics was recorded in the segments of health and social services, financial and insurance, in catering and a number of other sectors.