Catherwood LibraryILR School

Although repeat claims for unemployment insurance rose last week and remain high in general, new applications for unemployment insurance fell again last week according to the U.S. Labor Department---bringing the four-week rolling average for new claims to its lowest point in five months. In addition, a report issued by the U.S. Commerce Department shows that sales averaged across all distribution levels leveled out in December after decreases earlier in the fourth quarter of 2001. The overall implication of these financial indicators is that job-losses are slowing down, consumers are regaining confidence, and an economic turnaround is no longer relegated to the distant future.