Initial unemployment claims were again in...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were again below expectations in 

the April 28 wk, +2k to 211k, vs 225k expected after plunging in the 

previous week. The data all point to extremely favorable conditions. 

- The 4-wk moving avg -7,750 to 221,500 in the April 28 week, low since 

the March 3, 1973 week. The average could fall further next week as the 

233k level in April 7 wk rolls out. The underlying level of claims 

remains very low, a positive for the jobs data. 

- NSA claims -14,016 to 186,049 in the current wk, compared with -15,470 

that seasonal factors expected. The current wk's level is well below 

the year ago level of 210,955.

- Claims were estimated for Colorado and Maine, and still not returned 

to normal in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. 

- Continuing claims -77k to 1.756m in the April 21 wk, lowest since the 

Dec 8, 1973 week. The four-week average -15,500 to 1.833m, lowest since 

the December 29, 1973 week.