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US jobless claims average falls; total claims near 14-year low

September 18, 2014

The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance last week fell by 4,750 to a total of 299,500 from the previous week’s upwardly revised figure of 304,250, 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 ended Sept. 13 fell by 36,000 to a total of 280,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised figure of 316,000.

MarketWatch reports it was the lowest level since mid-July’s tally, which was the slimmest reading since May 2000.

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