At 317k, initial claims remain close to cycle lows but it is noteworthy that this is the 2nd week in a row of rising claims (missing expectations) when all we hear about is how great things are and how Q2 will be the big swing back. Continuing claims rose for the first time in 7 weeks but remains just off cycle lows (the biggest rise in 2 months). Perhaps the celebration of escape velocity job creation was - once again - premature.
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Charts: Bloomberg
