The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance last week fell by 2,250 to a total of 279,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised average, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Department of Labor. This is the lowest level for this average since April 29, 2000, when it was 273,000.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Nov. 1 fell by 10,000 to a total of 278,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised figure of 288,000.

No special factors impacted this week’s initial claims, according to the US Department of Labor.