Initial unemployment claims +3k to 244k in..>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims +3k to 244k in August 5 week, 

above the 240k level expected. The 4-wk moving avg -1,000 to 241,000, 

but the average would rise by 2,500 claims next week if the headline 

number is unchanged as the 234k level in the July 15 week rolls off. 

Seasonal adjustment factors had expected a 10,107 increase in unadjusted 

claims in the current week. Instead, unadjusted claims rose by 12,957 to 

211,733. There were no state claims estimated this week. Continuing 

claims -16k to 1.951m in the July 29 week. The 4-wk moving average for 

continuing claims +500 to 1.965 million. The claims data remain below 

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