Initial unemployment claims were below in...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were below expectations in the 

Jan 12 survey wk, -3k to 213k vs 218k expected and 217k in the Dec 15 

survey wk. Claims were unrev at 216k in the Jan 5 wk. NSA claims were 

-3,215 in the Jan 12 wk, vs +1,941 seasonal factors expected. 

- The 4-wk moving avg -1,000 to 220,750 in the Jan 12 wk and -2,000 

from the avg in the Dec 15 wk. The avg would fall next week if there is 

no change from this week's headline figure as the 221k level in the Dec 

22 week rolls out.

- Continuing claims +18,000 to 1.737m in the Jan 5 wk, while the 4-wk 

avg +8,000 to 1.729m. The insured rate of unemployment was unchanged 

from 1.2% in the previous week.

- Initial claims for federal employees +5,694 to 10,454 compared to 

1,148 last year.

- Claims were estimated for West Virginia.