The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance edged up to 207,000 last week, up 500 from the previous week’s average, the US Department of Labor reported. The previous week’s average was revised upward by 250.

The four-week moving average smooths the volatility of the week-to-week numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Sept. 29 fell to 207,000, down 8,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised upward by 1,000.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims edging down to 213,000 in the latest week. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell to a nearly 49-year low last week, pointing to sustained labor market strength, which should continue to underpin economic growth.