The four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance in the U.S. fell by 6,250 to a level of 335,500 in the week ended August 3, 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 rose to 333,000, up 5,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 328,000.