Initial unemployment claims -15k to 243k in.>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims -15k to 243k in Oct 7 week, below 

the 252k expected and very close to pre-hurricane levels. Unadjusted 

initial claims in Texas -496, Florida -1,343, Puerto Rico -210, and 

Virgin Islands +100 (estimated). There were also estimates from South 

Carolina and Virginia. The 4-wk moving avg -9,500 to 257,500, as the 

281,000 level in the Sept 9 week moved out of the calculation. The 

average would be expected to decline further next week. Seasonal factors 

had expected an increase of 37,118 in NSA claims. Instead, NSA claims 

+23,384 to 228,046, back below the 238,581 level a year earlier. 

Continuing claims -32k to 1.889m in the Sept 30 week, low since the Dec. 

29, 1973 week. The insured rate fell to 1.3% after a string of 1.4% 

readings back to April. See MNI main wire.