The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell by 7,500 in the week ended Nov. 23 to 331,750 from the previous week’s revised figure of 339,250, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week fell by 10,000 to 316,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 326,000.

MarketWatch reports that economists it surveyed expected claims to rise to 330,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis. To read the story, click here.