Initial unemployment claims +10k to 244k in.>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims +10k to 244k in July 22 week vs 

240k expected. The 4-wk moving avg unch at 244,000, but the average 

would fall by 1,500 claims next week if the headline number is unch as a 

250k level in the July 1 week rolls off. Seasonal adjustment factors had 

expected a 47,440 decrease in unadjusted claims in the current week. 

Instead, unadjusted claims fell by 37,987 to 219,776. There were no 

state claims estimated this week. Continuing claims -13k to 1.964m in 

the July 15 employment survey week, up 19,000 from the 1.945 million 

level in the June 17 employment survey week. The 4-wk moving average for 

continuing claims +4,750 to 1.964 million. The claims data remain below 

their year ago levels by all measures. See MNI main wire.