Tags: jobless | claims. labor | market | unemployment

Jobless Claims Jump Amid Spikes in Hurricane-Ravaged States

Several pink post-it slips with the word Fired written on them in black ink
(Mark Ray/Dreamstime)

Thursday, 27 September 2018 08:33 AM EDT

Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits rose last week, reflecting jumps in states hit by Hurricane Florence, though the national figure remains near the lowest in almost five decades, Labor Department figures showed Thursday.

Highlights of Jobless Claims (Week Ended Sept. 22)

  • Jobless claims increased by 12k to 214k (est. 210k), the Labor Department said.
  • Continuing claims rose by 16k to 1.661m in week ended Sept. 15 (data reported with one-week lag)
  • Four-week average of initial claims, a less-volatile measure than the weekly figure, little changed at 206,250

Key Takeaways

The increase in weekly claims reflects an almost fivefold jump to about 10,000 in North Carolina and a more than doubling to nearly 3,400 in South Carolina, two states grappling with flooding and damage from Florence. The jump is expected to prove temporary, similar to the pattern from previous major storms, such as Harvey and Irma in 2017.

The trend in unemployment-benefits applications continues to indicate steady business demand for workers, which is projected to be reinforced by the September payrolls report due next week. The unemployment rate is close to the lowest since 1969 and employers are citing a shortage of skilled workers.

Other Details

  • Prior week’s reading was revised to 202,000 from 201,000
  • Unemployment rate among people eligible for benefits unchanged at 1.2 percent

© Copyright 2025 Bloomberg News. All rights reserved.


Economy
Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits rose last week, reflecting jumps in states hit by Hurricane Florence, though the national figure remains near the lowest in almost five decades, Labor Department figures showed Thursday.
jobless, claims. labor, market, unemployment
215
2018-33-27
Thursday, 27 September 2018 08:33 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
Get Newsmax Text Alerts
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
MONEYNEWS.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
MONEYNEWS.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved