Initial US jobless claims fell by 20,000 in the week ended Sept. 16 to a total of 201,000, according to seasonally adjusted data released Sept. 21 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Total jobless claims were at their lowest level since the last week of January.

However, Reuters cautioned that claims may rebound as strikes force automakers to lay off workers.

The four-week moving average of claims fell by 7,750 from the previous week’s revised average to a total of 224,750.