Initial unemployment claims -22k to 222k in.>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims -22k to 222k in Oct 14 week, 

below the 240k expected and the lowest level of initial claims since 

March 31, 1973. Unadjusted initial claims in Texas -1804, Florida 

-2773, Puerto Rico +1570, and Virgin Islands -504. There were estimates 

from the Virgin Islands. The 4-wk moving avg -9,500 to 248,250, as the 

260,000 level in the Sept 16 week moved out of the calculation. The 

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

had expected a decrease of 4,156 in NSA claims. Instead, NSA claims 

-24,500 to 204,788, below the 233,633 level a year earlier. Continuing 

claims -16k to 1.888m in the Oct 7 week. The insured rate decreased to 

1.3%, while the Sep 30 week was revised up to 1.4%. See MNI main wire.