US initial jobless claims fell by 12,000 last week to a total of 214,000, the US Department of Labor reported today. The previous week’s level was revised downward by 2,000.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 230,000 applications for the latest week.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims rose by 1,250 in the week ended Oct. 15 to a level of 212,250.