The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell to 251,000 last week, down 2,000 from the previous week’s average, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Department of Labor. The previous week’s average was revised downward by 500.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Nov. 19 were 251,000, up 18,000 from the previous week. The previous week’s level was revised down by 2,000.

In the previous week, which included the Veterans Day holiday, applications fell to 233,000, the lowest level since 1973.

This marks 90 consecutive weeks of initial claims below 300,000, the longest streak since 1970.

No special factors affected this week’s initial claims.

Bloomberg reports filings for unemployment benefits in the US rebounded last week from a four-decade low while remaining consistent with a firm labor market. Initial claims rose more than the median forecast in its survey of economists, which called for initial claims to rise to 250,000. Bloomberg said companies have balked at outright dismissals as a tighter job market leaves fewer skilled workers available for open positions.