Surprise! Jobless Claims Up 78,000 Week After Election; PA, OH Worst Hit

Sandy accounts for some of it but you don't get to a ~78,000 bump counting the states hit by the storm. In fact, as noted in the DOL's news release, NY's count was reduced because they weren't able to accept claims. And some states in affected areas like PA, NC, etc., note factors other than the storm.

In any case, week-to-week data is kinda meaningless. And it works both ways. Over time, Sandy probably will end up being a net benefit to construction and some other employment numbers in hard hit states given all of the rebuilding required.


STATES WITH A DECREASE OF MORE THAN 1,000
State
Change
State Supplied Comment

CA
-8,149
Fewer layoffs in all sectors, with the largest in service industry.

NY
-2,241
Fewer layoffs in the retail, healthcare and social assistance, and food service industries. Power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy contributed to the decrease in initial claims as state systems were unable to take claims from claimants.


STATES WITH AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 1,000
State
Change
State Supplied Comment

PA
+7,766
Layoffs in the construction, transportation, manufacturing, and the food and beverage manufacturing industries.

OH
+6,450
Layoffs in the automobile and manufacturing industries.

NJ
+5,675
Increase in initial claims due to Hurricane Sandy. These separations were primarily in the construction, accommodation and food service, transportation and warehousing, and manufacturing industries.

MI
+2,373
No comment.

CT
+1,783
Increase in initial claims are due to Hurricane Sandy.

NC
+1,725
Layoffs in the metal, textile, business services, furniture and fixtures, machinery, and food service industries.

MD
+1,499
No comment.

WA
+1,382
No comment.

NV
+1,180
Increase in initial claims due to backlog created by state holiday in prior week.