1.   The focus, Crean said, should be on trend data, which smooth seasonal anomalies.

2.   The same seasonal anomaly did occur last December, Adler said.

3.   The trend data smooth seasonal anomalies in the adjusted figures.

4.   The trend estimate on the current account deficit smooths seasonal anomalies.

5.   The trend data smooth seasonal anomalies from the adjusted figures.

6.   Economists attributed the drop in claims to seasonal anomalies.