US DATA: Initial jobless claims -37k to 404k in Jan. 15 employment
survey week, below expectations of 417k and down 16k from 420k level in
the Dec. 18 employment survey week. Seasonal factors had expected a
21.0% drop in NSA claims, or about 162,000. Actual NSA claims -27.8%, or
-212,504, to 550,594. Iowa, Hawaii, and D.C. estimated claims. The 4-wk
moving avg -4,000 to 411,750. Cont. claims -26k to 3.861m in Jan. 8 wk,
low since Oct. 25, 2008 week.