First-Time Jobless Claims Drop by 52,000

Following on the heels of yesterday's slightly encouraging kickoff to the earnings season, today the U.S. Labor Department released some hopeful weekly figures of its own.

According to the department, the number of people seeking unemployment benefits for the first time nose-dived by 52,000 last week. Initial claims figures dropped to 565,000, which is the lowest level since January. Analysts had forecast the number to come to 605,000.

The four-week moving average, which evens out the sometimes volatile week-to-week fluctuations, also fell by 10,000.

But there's clutter in the numbers too, as fewer automotive layoffs than seasonal adjustment tracking models had anticipated may have artificially pumped up the decline. Many automotive layoffs had already occurred earlier in the year.

Also, the announcement was coupled with a little reminder of current economic woes. The number of those continuing on unemployment benefit roles reached a record high, jumping by 159,000 to come to 6.88 million in the last full week in June.

Florida, the state with the largest drop in new claims, cited fewer layoffs in a slew of industries -- construction, trade, service, manufacturing and agriculture.

The state with the largest increase in first-time claims, New Jersey, added 7,876. The state largely blamed seasonal factors and school closings, along with layoffs in public administration, transportation, warehousing, service and manufacturing.