Initial unemployment claims were below in...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were below expectations in the     

Aug 18 survey wk, -2k to 210k vs 215k expected. Claims were unrevised  

from 212k in the August 11 wk. Claims in the Aug 18 wk were up 2,000 

from the 208k level in the July 14 survey wk.                                              

- The 4-wk moving avg -1,750 to 213,750 in the Aug 18 wk. The avg 

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

219,000 level in the July 28 wk rolls out.                                     

- NSA claims -7,107 to 172,932 in the current wk, compared with the    

-4,883 that seasonal factors expected in the week. The current wk's    

level is well below the year ago level of 195,130.                      

- Claims were estimated for Maine.                                      

- Continuing claims -2k to 1.727m in the August 11 wk. The 4-wk avg 

-5,000 to 1.736m.