Last week initial jobless claims rose by 25,000, to 584,000.  Good news considering the numbers beat economists’ forecast, which predicted a rise of 34,000.

In addition, the Labor Department noted continuing jobless claims fell by 54,000, to 6.2 million.

The employment situation for July 2009 is scheduled to be released on August 7, 2009, at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time.