Initial unemployment claims were above in...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were above expectations in the 

July 21 wk, +9k to 217k vs 215k expected after hitting their lowest 

point since 1969 in the previous week. Claims were revised up slightly 

to 208k in the July 14 wk. 

- The 4-wk moving avg -2,750 to 218k in the July 21 wk. The avg would 

decrease next week if the headline figure does not change as the 

232k level in June 30 wk rolls out.

- NSA claims -30,981 to 201,257 in the current wk, compared with the 

-39,539 that seasonal factors expected in the week. The current wk's 

level is well below the year ago level of 220,455. 

- Claims were estimated for Maine.

- Continuing claims -8k to 1.745m in the July 14 employment survey wk, 

and were +38k from the 1.707m level in the June 16 survey wk. The 4-wk 

avg +9,500 to 1.746m.