US DATA: Initial jobless claims -2k to 386k in April.

US DATA: Initial jobless claims -2k to 386k in April 14 employment
survey week, the 2nd consecutive week that claims have come in far above
expectations (370k). Claims in the April 14 wk are up 22k vs the Mar 17
survey wk (364k). Claims in the Apr 7 wk revised up to 388k vs 380k
originally. Labor Dept analyst says nothing unusual in the state data.
Only Alaska estimated. Seasonal factors expected a mild decline in NSA
claims of 5.4% (-20,959), actual NSA claims decline came in close —
down 5.9% or -22,916 to 367,550. 4-wk moving avg +5,500 to 374,750 in
Apr 14 wk, highest since Jan. 28 wk. After 5 consecutive weeks of
declines, cont. claims +26k to 3.297m in Apr 7 week. Cont claims NSA
-37,981 to 3,432,102.