Initial unemployment claims were well below.>

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

Sep 29 wk, -8k to 207k vs 216k expected. The impact of Hurricane 

Florence on the Southeast coast can be seen in the data yet, though 

the size of the impact was smaller than analysts anticipated, likely due

to displaced workers not able to file. The level should rise further next 

week.

- The 4-wk moving avg +500 to 207,000 in the Sep 29 wk after hitting 

another 49-year low in the previous week. The avg would rise next week 

if there is no change to the headline figure as a 205,000 level rolls out.

- NSA claims -12,358 to 165,215 in the current wk, below the 204,180 

level a year ago.

- Claims were not estimated for any states.                                     

- Continuing claims -13k to 1.650k in the Sep 22 wk, while the 4-wk avg

-15,250 to 1.665m. Hurricane impacts should enter this data next week.