Initial unemployment claims were above in...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were above expectations in the 

Feb 2 wk, -19k to 234k vs 221k expected, reflecting seasonal adjustment 

difficulties. 

- NSA claims were +2,589 in the Feb 2 wk, vs +23,055 seasonal factors 

expected. 

- The 4-wk moving avg +4,500 to 224,750 in the Feb 2 wk. The avg would 

rise further next week if there is no change from this week's headline 

figure as the 212k level in Jan 12 week rolls out.

- Initial claims for federal employees in the Jan 26 week -8,070 to 

6,669, still well above 1,919 a year ago. It should return to normal 

levels in the coming week. 

- Continuing claims -42k to 1.736m in the Jan 26 wk, while the 4-wk avg 

+4,250 to 1.741m. The insured rate of unemployment was unch from 1.2% in 

the previous week, still below 1.4% a year ago.   

- Claims were not estimated for any states.