Not much real news in the monthly report from the Employment Security Department, but we thought we’d post it here.
For the 4-week moving average ending Jan. 1, 2022, compared to the previous 4-week moving average:
- Regular initial claims increased by 1,826 to a total of 7,490. As with the previous 4-week moving average, the increase is likely due to seasonal layoffs, primarily in the construction and agriculture industries.
- Regular continued claims increased by 3,713 to a total of 49,848.
The increase in initial claims is typical for the agriculture and construction industries during this week in pre-pandemic times. And total initial claim volumes are still below pre-pandemic levels, indicating ongoing improvements in the overall labor market.
Main conclusion: Things are getting better, with occasional hiccups.
