U.S Jobless Claims Slightly Lower at 370K, Durable Goods Orders Rose by 0.2% - 24.5.2012

U.S claims for unemployment benefits dropped to 370,000 the previous week compared to claims of two weeks ago as the U.S Labor department reported today. After peaking to 391,000 claims in mid of April the figure fell to 370,000 and keeps steady around that level. The US dollar index rose 82.38 level gaining further against its major counterparties today as investors are seeking for safer assets. Additionally, Durable goods Orders rose by 0.2 per cent in April as it was expected, from a decline in March of -3.7 per cent. The March durable Goods Orders were revised from the previously reported -4.2 per cent decline. Core Durable Goods Orders which excludes the volatile transportation figure fell by 0.6 per cent as the Commerce Department reported, while the forecast was for 0.8 per cent increase, the previous reported decline was also revised from -1.1 per cent to -0.8 per cent.