Initial unemployment claims were slightly...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were slightly ahead of estimates in 

the April 7 week, -9k to 233k, vs the 230k expected. 

- The 4-wk moving avg +1,750 to 230,000 in the April 7 week, and could 

rise modestly again next week as the 227k level in March 17 week rolls 

out. Still, the underlying level of claims remains very low. 

- NSA claims +30,392 to 231,388 in the current week, compared with 

the 39,473 increase that seasonal factors expected. The current week's 

level is still below the year ago level of 239,823.

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

to normal in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. 

- Continuing claims +53k to 1.871m in the March 31 week.