The number of American workers filing for unemployment benefits in the United States for the first time dropped in the past week. In the week ended July 12, in fact, the initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 3.000 to 302.000, approaching the lows since mid-2007 and giving further confirmation of the progressive improvement in the labor market.
Positively surprised analysts, who expected an increase to 310.000 units. The average of the last four weeks, less subject to market fluctuations, fell by 3.000 units to 309.000, well below the 400.000 unit mark, a threshold which according to analysts signals a stalemate.
The total number of workers receiving unemployment benefits for more than a week dropped by 79.000 to 2.510.000.
In contrast to the certainly comforting numbers on the employment front are the figures for construction activity in the United States, the second consecutive drop after months of gains. In fact, in June, the index, elaborated by American Commerce, which measures the start of new construction sites, fell by 9,3% to 893 units, the lowest point since September 2013. The expectations of analysts were disappointed, they had forecast a rise of 1,4%.
Building permits, which anticipate future activity in the construction sector, fell 4,2% to 963.000 units. The only positive figure continues to be that of the construction of single-family houses, which represent approximately two-thirds of the total, which grew by 2,6% on a monthly basis.
