Initial unemployment claims were above in...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were above expectations in the 

June 30 wk, +3k to 231k vs 224k expected. Claims were revised up to 228k

in the June 23 wk.

- The 4-wk moving avg +2,250 to 224,500 in the June 30 wk. The avg 

would rise further next week if the headline figure does not change as 

the 221k level in June 9 wk rolls out, but will still be very low. 

- NSA claims +8,306 to 231,072 in the current wk, compared with the 

+4,778 that seasonal factors expected in the wk. The current wk's level 

is still below the year ago level of 252,886.

- Claims were estimated for Maine.

- Continuing claims +32k to 1.739m in the June 23 wk from the 1.707m 

level in the June 16 wk. The 4-wk avg -1,750 to 1.718m, again the lowest 

since the Dec. 8, 1973 wk.