The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell by 14,750 last week to a total of 285,500 from the previous week’s upwardly revised average, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Department of Labor. This week’s release reflects the annual revision to the weekly unemployment claims seasonal adjustment factors, dating back to 2010.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended March 28 fell by 20,000 to a total of 268,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised level.

Bloomberg reports claims are the lowest since the period ended Jan. 24 and second-lowest in at least a year.

No special factors impacted this week's initial claims.