Unemployment

New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods excluding transportation unexpectedly fell in January, while the number of workers filing for jobless benefits rose last week, suggesting a loss of momentum in the pace of economic recovery.
The Commerce Department said on Thursday orders excluding transportation fell 0.6 percent last month after increasing 2.0 percent in December. That was below market expectations for a 1.0 percent rise. However, overall orders jumped 3.0 percent, the biggest gain since July, as aircraft bookings soared. That was well above market expectations for a 1.5 percent rise. Orders increased 1.9 percent in December. Separately, initial claims for unemployment benefits rose 22,000 to 496,000 last week, the Labor Department said. Analysts had expected jobless claims to fall to 455,000.

Feb 25 · 5:10:00 PM · Source: CNBC
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by Michael Oliveto