US: Initial weekly jobless claims increased by 53,000 to 253,000

"In the week ending January 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 253,000, an increase of 53,000 from the previous week's revised level," the U.S. Department of Labor announced on Thursday.

Key takeaways from the press release

• This is the highest level for initial claims since September 30, 2017 when it was 254,000. 
• The 4-week moving average was 220,250, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised average.
• The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending January 19.
• The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending January 19 was 1,782,000, an increase of 69,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 1,713,000.