American workers who asked last week unemployment benefit for the first time there were 309 thousand. The figure grew by 15 thousand units compared to the previous week, while remaining close to the lowest since April 2006. Analysts had forecast a more substantial rise, up to 330 requests. The previous week's figure was revised up from 292.000 to 294.000 units.
However, these numbers are not fully reliable. The American Government specifies that errors may have occurred in the communication of data by some States. It is therefore probable that – as happened last week – the numbers will not substantially influence the trend of the markets.
Specifically, California and Nevada were unable to deliver complete data due to technical issues related to the transition to a new computer system.
For the average of the last four weeks, more reliable as it is not subject to market fluctuations, fell by 7 units to 314.750. The figure remains below the threshold of 400 thousand units, which according to analysts signals the entry into a stalemate.
The total number of workers who received unemployment benefits for more than a week – relating to the week ending 7 September, the last for which data is available – decreased by 28 thousand, to 2.787.000.
On the trade front, in the second quarter US current account deficit fell 6%. Above all, the increase in the sale of products and services abroad and the decrease in the earnings of foreign investors on US assets affected the survey.
Between April and June, the figure dropped to $98,89 billion, according to the Commerce Department. Analysts had forecast a figure of 97,08 billion. The first quarter deficit was revised down to $104,9 billion.
