US initial jobless claims fell by 10,000 in the week ended Aug. 19 to a total of 230,000, the lowest level since the week of July 29, the US Department of Labor reported today. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000.  

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 240,000 claims for the week. 

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of initial claims rose by 2,250 to a level of 236,750. The previous week’s average was revised upward by 250.