Initial filings for unemployment insurance totalled 184,000 for the week ended December 4th, which is the lowest going back to September 1969, which saw 182,000. This was below the economists’ prediction of 225,000, further pointing to the tightness of the present labour market as many employers seek to retain workers. This data further shows that the decline in layoffs is not translating into faster job growth on a consistent basis, which was evident in the modest gain in non-farm payrolls in November. This data shouldn’t likely affect the Fed’s stance on rising interest rates, yet all eyes look toward the 15th December, the next Fed interest rate decision.