The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose to 245,750 last week, up 2,250 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 upward by 500.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended July 8 fell to 247,000, down 3,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised upward by 2,000.

MarketWatch reports initial claims reflect an extremely low level of layoffs that has become the norm as an economic recovery stretches into its ninth year. Layoffs are running near the lowest level in nearly half a century and show no sign of rising, as an expansion that begin in mid-2009 ploughs ahead.