Initial unemployment claims were well below.>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were well below estimates in the 

March 24 week, -12k to 215k, vs the 230k exp. Annual revisions were 

included with the data, so this week's level is now the lowest since the 

January 27, 1973 week.

- The 4-wk moving avg -500 to 224,500, and could decline further next 

week as the 230k level in Mar 3 week rolls out. The underlying level of 

claims remains very low. 

- NSA claims -5,611 to 192,440 in the current week, compared with the 

5,218 gain that seasonal factors expected. The current week's level is 

still well below the year ago level of 228,269.

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

returned to normal in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. 

- Continuing claims +35k to 1.871m in the March 17 week.