The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell by 7,750 last week to a total of 271,750 from the previous week’s unrevised average, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Department of Labor. This is the lowest level for this average since April 22, 2000 when it was 266,750.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended May 9 fell by 1,000 to a total of 264,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level.

Bloomberg reports the numbers underscore labor-market strength. Claims rose less than its median forecast of 53 economists, which called for 273,000 claims.

No special factors impacted this week’s initial claims.