The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell by 3,000 last week to a total of 282,250 from the previous week’s downwardly revised average, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Department of Labor. This is the lowest level for this average since June 3, 2000, when it was 281,500.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended April 4 rose by 14,000 to a total of 281,000 from the previous week’s downwardly revised level.

Bloomberg reports claims rose less than its median forecast of 45 economists, which called for 283,000 claims.

No special factors impacted this week’s initial claims.