Initial Jobless Claims Hit Four-Decade Low, But This Expert Isn't Impressed

The U.S. Department of Labor released its weekly continuous jobless claims and initial jobless claims figures on Thursday. Both numbers numbers beat estimates. Only 225,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits during the week ending July 18 -- the fewest since 1973. Experts were forecasting about 280,000 new jobless claims. Meanwhile, continuous jobless claims came in at only 2,207,000 versus expectations of 2,225,000. Not So Significant But Phil Davis, founder of PSW Investments, doesn't believe that the four-decade low in initial jobless claims is as significant as it may seem. In a conversation with Benzinga, he pointed out that "we were at the beginning of a recession in 1973," the last time the figure was this low. "It shows you what a complete disconnect that number is from anything that will predict the economy." If anything, Davis said, the fewer-than-expected jobless claims are an indication of a weak labor market. According to him, there may only be fewer people being fired because fewer people are seeking jobs and being hired. He cited historic lows in labor force participation and "weak jobs growth" in June. Davis expects upward pressure on wages as employers attempt to draw workers back into the labor market. And given the Fed's mandate to fight wage inflation, he said that the jobless claims report will increase the likelihood of a rate hike this year. With regard to continuing jobless claims, noted that "it [was] a beat, but it was still quite high [in historical terms]." Plus, he said, the fact that there are fewer people on unemployment benefits isn't important unless "the quality of jobs being created" is improving. The wage growth number in the July jobs report should reveal whether or not that is the case. Davis will be watching the report closely: "more jobs and lower wages...that's how you move from first world to third world status."