First-time unemployment claims dropped last week

Tornadoes in Alabama led to an increase in applications there last week, although it didn’t have much effect on the overall numbers, according to the Labor Department. 

The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure of claims, increased to 436,750 from 432,250, the highest since November and the fifth straight increase. The average has jumped 46,500, or nearly 12 percent, since early April.

The number of people continuing to collect jobless benefits rose by 5,000 in the week ending April 30, to 3.76 million. 

Those who’ve used up their traditional 26 weeks of state benefits and are collecting federal emergency and extended payments dropped by about 17,000 to 4.1 million in the week ended April 23.

The continuing claims figure does not include the number of workers receiving extended benefits under federal programs.

A further decline in the number of firings accompanied by job gains elsewhere may shore up consumers’ confidence and boost average incomes, helping Americans overcome the strains of higher food and energy costs. 

Overall, 31 states and territories reported an increase in claims, while 22 showed a decrease.

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending April 30 were in New York (+24,431), Michigan (+3,948), Wisconsin (+3,746), North Carolina (+2,749) and Ohio (+2,319), while the largest decreases were in New Jersey (-4,004), California (-3,145), Massachusetts (-2,966), Puerto Rico (-2,713) and Florida (-2,156).