The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose to 268,750 last week, up 6,000 from the previous week’s revised 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 Sept. 16 were 259,000, down 23,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised downward by 23,000.

The DOL said Hurricanes Harvey and Irma affected this week’s claims.

Bloomberg reported applications for unemployment benefits in the US unexpectedly declined last week as the Hurricane Harvey-related surge in Texas filings continued to reverse. Swings in the figures may continue for several weeks, following the pattern seen after major storms such as Sandy in the Northeast in 2012.

Separately, The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index increased 0.4% in August to a reading of 128.8 (2010=100) following a 0.3% increase in July, and a 0.6% increase in June.

“The August gain is consistent with continuing growth in the US economy for the second half of the year, which may even see a moderate pickup,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, director of business cycles and growth research at The Conference Board. “While the economic impact of recent hurricanes is not fully reflected in the leading indicators yet, the underlying trends suggest that the current solid pace of growth should continue in the near term.”

Separately, the Philadelphia Federal Reserve’s September 2017 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey found that most current indicators improved this month. Respondents to that survey also expect improvement over the next six months.