In the United States, claims for unemployment benefits rose by 22% in the last week (+78 units), to 439, above all in the eastern states, driven by the effect of the passage of hurricane Sandy.
Analysts had expected a much more contained rise, to 380 units. This is the largest increase since September 2005. The figure, published by the Department of Labour, exceeds 400 for the first time in a year.
The result from two weeks ago was revised upwards from 355k to 361k. About 4,98 million people received federal aid of any kind in the week ending Oct. 27, down 100.423 from the previous week.
Meanwhile, inflation eased in October, with petrol prices offsetting food prices. The consumer price index rose by 0,1%, after a double jump of 0,6% in the previous two months. The figure is in line with market expectations.
Gasoline prices, which rose 16,6% from July to September, fell 0,6%. The decline helped push overall energy costs down by 0,2%. The cost of groceries climbed 0,2%, marking the fifth consecutive monthly increase.
Excluding the volatile food and energy component, core consumer prices rose by 0,2% in October. Analysts had expected a rise of 0,1%. On an annual basis, the consumer price index is up 2,2% while the core one is up 2%.
