In the marketplace: More than 12.2 million people have signed up for coverage nationwide this year under the Obama-era health care law even with the uncertainty created by President Donald Trump’s vow to repeal and replace it. A count by The Associated Press shows that many consumers returned to the program despite its problems. Aside from the political turmoil, those difficulties include a spike in premiums, rising deductibles and dwindling choice of insurers. Initial enrollment is about 4% lower than last year, but AP’s analysis showed that a clear majority of those enrolled—nearly 64%—live in states that Trump carried in November. Read more.
Going down: Initial unemployment insurance claims for the week ending Feb. 4 decreased to 2,356 from the previous week’s total of 2,518, according to the latest figures from the Louisiana Workforce Commission. For the comparable week a year ago, 3,084 initial claims were filed. The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure of claims, decreased to 2,552 from the previous week’s average of 2,640. Continued unemployment insurance weeks claimed for the week ending Feb. 4 decreased to 21,614 from the previous week’s total of 22,099. Continued weeks claimed were below the comparable figure of 23,156 for comparable week one year ago. Read more.
Still rising: Louisiana’s tally of active oil and gas rigs rose by two this week, bringing its total rig count to 54 from 52 last week. This time last year the state has 47 rigs. According to oilfield services company Baker Hughes, the number of rigs exploring for oil and gas in the U.S. also rose this week to 741, a gain of 12 on the week. Last week there were 729 rigs actively exploring for oil and gas in the U.S. For the comparable week one year ago, there were 541 active rigs, 200 less than the nation’s current rig count. New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia—other major oil producing states—also saw their rig counts rise this week.
