Initial unemployment claims were slightly...>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were slightly above expectations 

in the April 14 employment survey week, -1k to 232k, vs 230k expected. 

Claims were at a level of 227k in the March 17 employment survey week, 

so the month/month comparison is mildly negative for payrolls. 

- The 4-wk moving avg +1,250 to 231,250 in the April 14 week, the fifth 

straight gain, and could rise even further next week as the 218k level 

in March 24 week rolls out. Still, the underlying level of claims 

remains very low. 

- NSA claims -6,180 to 225,545 in the current week, compared with -5,134 

that seasonal factors expected. The current week's level is only 

slightly below the year ago level of 225,864.

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

to normal in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. 

- Continuing claims -15k to 1.863m in the April 7 week.