Initial unemployment claims were below in...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were below expectations in the May 

5 wk, unch at 211k, vs 215k expected, maintaining the extremely low 

levels in the prev 2 wks. 

- The 4-wk moving avg -5,500 to 216,000 in the May 5 wk, lowest since the 

Dec 20, 1969 wk, when it was 214,500. The avg could fall further next wk 

as the 233k level in April 14 wk rolls out. The underlying level of 

claims remains very low, a positive for the jobs data. 

- NSA claims +3,633 to 190,084 in the current wk, very close to the 

+3,590 that seasonal factors expected. The current wk's level is well 

below the year ago level of 215,040.

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

returned to normal in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. 

- Continuing claims +30k to 1.790m in the April 28 wk after hitting a 

decades-low level in the prev wk. The four-week avg -22,000 to 1.813m, 

lowest since the December 29, 1973 wk.