Initial unemployment claims +2k to 234k in..>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims +2k to 234k in August 19 week, only 

slightly below the 235k level expected. The 4-wk moving avg -2,750 to 

237,750, a fourth straight decline to the lowest point since the May 20 

week. The average would fall by an additional 1,750 claims next week if 

the headline number is unchanged as the 241k level in the July 29 week 

rolls off. Seasonal adjustment factors had expected a 4,811 decrease in 

unadjusted claims in the current week. Instead, unadjusted claims fell 

by 3,562 to 194,718. There were no state claims estimated this week. 

Continuing claims unch at 1.954m in the August 12 employment survey week, 

compared with 1.965m in the July 15 week. The 4-wk moving avg for 

continuing claims -2,750 to 1.958m. The claims data remain below their 

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