The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 1,750 in the week ended Feb. 15 to 338,500 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 336,750, 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 fell by 3,000 to a total of 336,000 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 339,000.

Bloomberg reports the slowdown in dismissals could lay the groundwork for a pickup in hiring. To read the story, click here.