Initial unemployment claims slightly below..>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims slightly below expectations in 

the Oct 27 wk, -2k to 214k vs 215k expected, with the effects of 

Hurricane Michael appearing to fade. Unadjusted claims in Florida 

-1,944, while claims in Georgia -2,620. There were no states estimated.

- The 4-wk moving avg +1,750 to 213,750 in the Oct 27 wk. The 

avg would tick down modestly next week if there is no change to the 

headline figure as a 215k level in Oct 6 week rolls out.

- NSA claims -1,215 to 197,518 in the current wk, still below the 215,977 

level a year ago. Comparisons could be less favorable in the coming 

weeks due to this year's storms. 

- Continuing claims -7k to 1.631m in the Oct 20 wk, while the 4-wk avg 

-6,250 to 1.641m, both fresh lows since 1973. The insured rate of 

unemployment remained at 1.1%.