Initial unemployment claims -2k to 238k in..>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims -2k to 238k in Nov 25 holiday week 

vs 240k expected, keeping claims near the recent trend.

- The 4-wk moving avg +2,250 to 242,250, but could slip modestly 

next week as the 239,000 level in the Nov 4 drops out.

- Unadjusted claims in Puerto Rico fell sharply to 2,965 vs 6,972 prev, 

while Virgin Islands claims 113 vs 159 prev as filing still disrupted.

- Continuing claims +42k to 1.957m in the Nov 18 employment survey 

week, +57k from the 1.900 million level in the Oct 14 survey week.

- The data suggest some deterioration from the mid-October survey week, 

both for initial claims and continuing claims, a negative for payrolls.