US DATA: Very Low Initial Claims When Looking Through Thanksgiving Distortion

Dec-11 13:46

We downplay the supposed upside for initial jobless claims as it appears to just be reflecting a reversal of a particularly low week before that under adjustment difficulties around the Thanksgiving holiday. Surprisingly low continuing claims were also likely a factor of this distortion. For now, a two-week average for initial claims remains particularly low and shows no sign of labor market distress, whilst prior trends for continuing claims in payrolls reference periods are broadly in keeping with recent months rather than eyeing further deterioration. 

  • Initial jobless claims ‘surprised’ higher at 236k (sa, cons 220k) in the week to Dec 6, a consensus reading that had looked for surprisingly little rebound considering it followed the 3+ year low of 219k in the week to Nov 29 in what had looked likely down to difficulty in adjusting around the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • The average of the two is 214k, a still very low figure considering it averaged 218k in 2019, following 220k in the two weeks before that.
  • Within the NSA details, California and Texas provided some upside after large declines the week prior (+14.5k after -19.8k for California and +7.7k after -7.8k for Texas) although there was also a notable increase for NY with +10.6k after -3.5k.
  • Continuing claims meanwhile were also lower than expected at 1838k (sa, cons 1938k) in the week to Nov 29 after a marginally downward revised 1937k (initial 1939k), but we suspect the same Thanksgiving issue is now at play here.
  • We’ll need to see the next couple weeks of continuing claims data to have a better idea of trend though, which will coincidentally take us into the reference period for the December payrolls report. For now, a reminder ahead of Tuesday’s November payrolls report that continuing claims at 1944k in the Nov payrolls reference week leaves a more favorable comparison compared to the Oct payrolls reference period (1957k) but a less favorable one compared to Sept (1916k, the last known BLS payrolls report) and was back close to the 1944k of Aug and 1946k of Jul.
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Historical bullets

FOREX: USD Extends Move Lower Following US Data, DXY New Pullback Lows

Nov-11 13:36
  • The ADP release weighing on the USD in recent trade, allowing the USD index to plumb new pullback lows below 99.40. Most notable has been the moved for USDJPY, which extends its most recent selloff to around 40 pips.
  • Downside momentum picked up on a break of the overnight lows, below 154.00, with momentum exacerbated as broader coverage of the ADP release gained traction. We have pointed out that USDJPY continues encounter some resistance above the 154.00 handle, potentially registering an eighth daily high between 154.14-154.49, bolstering the short-term significance of this resistance cluster. First important support to watch lies at 152.70, the 20-day EMA.
  • Topside momentum for EURUSD sees the pair break above Friday’s high and print a 1.1600 high. The 50-day EMA intersects at 1.1627, and a breach would alter the short-term bearish theme.
  • It’s worth noting that GBPUSD has now full reversed the UK labour market data inspired move, however, sterling weakness remains evident through the cross, with EURGBP maintaining its position back above 0.88 for now.

US: MNI POLITICAL RISK - End Of Government Shutdown In Sight

Nov-11 13:31

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  • President Donald Trump will participate in a Veterans Day ceremony at 11:00 ET 16:00 GMT.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio will join a G7 meeting in Canada today, becoming the most prominent US official to visit the country since Trump terminated trade talks last month.
  • The Senate passed a funding package to end the longest federal government shutdown in US history. The House of Representatives could pass the package as soon as tomorrow.
  • China took another step towards fulfilling the terms of the US-China trade deal, adding thirteen fentanyl precursors to a list of controlled exports.
  • The US is nearing trade deals with India and Switzerland.
  • A nonpartisan budget watchdog found Trump's tariff cheques would cost far more than tariffs are projected to bring in.
  • A federal judge in Utah ruled in favour of a 2026 Congressional map that is likely to net Democrats an additional House seat.
  • The White House was 'blindsided' by Trump's 50-year mortgage proposal.
  • Electricity supply is struggling to keep up with AI data centre demand.
  • The Senate Agriculture Committee released a draft of its crypto market structure bill.
  • The US military carried out two more lethal strikes on alleged drug boats.
  • The first phase of the Gaza peace deal nears its end without clarity on progressing to the next phase of the agreement.
  • The Trump administration paused sanctions on Syria after a landmark White House meeting.
  • Poll of the Day: Americans are increasingly convinced the economy is moving in the wrong direction.

Full Article: US DAILY BRIEF

US TSYS: Weekly ADP Employment React

Nov-11 13:22
  • Treasuries extending recent highs after weekly ADP "employment pulse" data comes out weaker than expected.
  • Currently, the Dec'25 10Y contract trades +6.5 at 112-28.5 (H). A short-term bear theme in Treasuries remains in place, however.
  • Attention is on a reversal trigger at 112-06, the Sep 25 low, and the 100-DMA, at 112-08. A clear break of these price points would expose a trendline support at 112-02. The trendline is drawn from the May 22 low. Resistance to watch is 113-02, the Nov 5 and 7 high. Clearance of this level would highlight a potential bullish reversal.
  • Bbg US$ index dips -0.24 at 1218.47; SPX eminis softer -13.75 at 6843.0.

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