In a absolutely shocking development, initial claims for the week ended May 5 printed [5]in line with expectations of 370K, but to make the Mainstream Media's life easy and unleash all those "Initial Claims Decline by 2,000" headlines, last week's number was increased from 370K to 372K (ignore that NSA number increased by 2,515). Continuing claims missed expectations of 3250K printing at 3260K, but down from an upward revised 3289K. Needs to say this week's 370K adjusted print will be revised higher to 372-373K and the MSM will fall for it all over again. More importantly, the ongoing collapse in those collecting extended benefits now that legislation has halted extensions is becoming more acute: 40K dropped off Extended Claims and EUCs.
More importantly, Durable Goods [6]rose by 0.2% in April to $215.5 billion, as expected. However, when removing the traditionally volatile transportation component, Durable goods slid by 0.6% on expectation of a 0.8% increase; compared to -0.8% in March; Cutting out Capital Goods and Non-Defense Aircraft, the collapse was even worse, printing at -1.9% on expectations of a 0.8% print. And the March number was slashed from -0.8% to -2.2%. The is now the second in a row (see below). Cue downward revisions to Q2 GDP any second.
From Bloomberg:
- "Very weak’’ orders for non-defense capital goods ex. aircraft “bodes poorly for capital spending in future GDP reports,” says Bloomberg economist Rich Yamarone
- 1.4% decline in non-defense capital goods shipments “weak start” for 2Q business investment
And cue horrible news is great news.
[7]
Update: sure enough, here it comes:
BREAKING: Initial Jobless Claims fall 2k to 370k for week ending May 19.
— CNBC (@CNBC) May 24, 2012 [8]