Initial unemployment claims were well below.>

US DATA: Initial unemployment claims were well below exp in the Apr 21 

wk, -24k to 209k, vs 231k expected, hitting its lowest point since the 

Dec. 6, 1969 week. 

- The 4-wk moving avg -2,250 to 229,250 in the Apr 21 week, breaking the 

chain of increases. The avg could fall further next week as the 242k 

level in Mar 31 wk rolls out. The underlying level of claims remains 

very low, a positive for the jobs data. 

- NSA claims -26,218 to 199,816 in the current wk, compared with -3,259 

that seasonal factors expected. The current wk's level is down sharply 

from the year ago level of 241,611.

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

to normal in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. 

- Continuing claims -29k to 1.837m in the Apr 14 wk employment survey wk,

-39k from the 1.876 million level in the March 17 employment survey wk.