In the last 50+ years unemployment claims have never once dropped to 160,000 and were only under 200,000 for a period in the late 1960's. Since 1970 they have never been blow [sic] 200,000.
True. I get the same data as you from the Fed (St. Louis), but how does that refute what I stated? Have you seen GDP growth rates above 8% in a year for any length of time?
Plus, and "average" of 367,000 over that time period really isn't of much use.
5.56mm
Well, you stated related to claims that “You need to get to about 160,000 to see any significant growth in the economy or a stabilizing labor market.” That hasn’t happened ever so that statement is invalid. The statements on this thread that the employment situation is not improving are inaccurate as claims are actually below normal as defined by a long-run average.