The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance last week rose by 6,000 to a total of 285,000 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 279,000, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Department of Labor. Last week’s average was lowest level for this average since April 29, 2000.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Nov. 8 rose by 12,000 to a total of 290,000 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 278,000.

Bloomberg reports the increase is the highest since Sept. 20, but it is the ninth straight week claims have been less than 300,000.

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