Initial unemployment claims were below in...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were below expectations in the     

July 28 wk, +1k to 218k vs 219k expected. Claims were unrevised  

at 217k in the July 21 wk.                                              

- The 4-wk moving avg -3,500 to 214,500 in the July 28 wk. The avg 

would increase next week if the headline figure does not change as the        

215k level in July 7 wk rolls out.                                     

- NSA claims -21,750 to 179,538 in the current wk, compared with the    

-22,607 that seasonal factors expected in the week. The current wk's    

level is well below the year ago level of 198,776.                      

- Claims were estimated for Maine.                                      

- Continuing claims -23k to 1.724m in the July 21 wk. The 4-wk avg 

-4,500 to 1.742m.