The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance last week rose by 2,250 to a total of 304,750 from the previous week’s upwardly revised average of 302,500, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Department of Labor.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended March 14 edged up by 1,000 to a total of 291,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised figure of 290,000.

Bloomberg reports fewer than 300,000 Americans filed applications for unemployment benefits for a second week, signaling the labor market remains resilient even as the economy shows signs of slowing. Claims fell short of the median forecast of 51 economists, which called for 293,000 claims.

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