The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell by 10,750 in the week ended Nov. 30 to 322,250 from the previous week’s revised figure of 333,000, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week fell by 23,000 to 298,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 321,000.

MarketWatch reports that adjusted claims are now at the lowest level since early September and they are below 300,000 for only the second time since the recession ended in 2009. However, MarketWatch reported the numbers may have been skewed by difficulties in making seasonal adjustments. To read the story, click here.