The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance last week fell by 4,250 to a total of 283,500 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 287,750, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Department of Labor. This is the lowest level for this average since June 10, 2000, when it was 283,500.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Oct. 11 fell by 23,000 to a total of 264,000 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 287,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since April 15, 2000, when it was 259,000.

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