**MNI 5 THINGS: US Claims Below Expectations At 201k, 49Y Low>

--5 Things We Learned From the September 15 Claims Data

By Kevin Kastner

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The following are the key points from the weekly 

US unemployment insurance claims data for the September 15 survey week 

released by the Labor Department Thursday: 

     - The initial claims data fell by 3,000 to 201,000 in the September 

15 employment survey week, below the 208,000 level expected by analysts 

in an MNI survey. Claims hit another 49-year low (Nov. 15, 1969), but 

are not likely to repeat that feat next week. 

     - The level of initial claims is likely to rise sharply in the 

coming weeks as the impact of Hurricane Florence is felt by displaced 

workers. The timing of their filings may be spread out throughout the 

weeks, rather than all concentrated in one week, as some of the affected 

areas are still unsafe to enter. 

     - The level of initial claims was down 9,000 from the 210,000 

level in the Aug 18 employment survey week and represents a very tight 

labor market. However, how much of that filters through to the September 

employment report remains to be seen.

     - The four-week moving average fell by 2,250 to 205,750 this week 

to another 49-year low. The average was down 8,000 from the 213,750 

average in the August 18 employment survey week and would decline 

further next week were it not for the expected impact of the hurricane 

on the data. 

     - Continuing claims fell by 55,000 to 1.645m in the September 8 

week, while the four-week average decreased by 20,750 to 1.692m, both at 

their lowest points since 1973. The insured unemployment rate was 

unchanged at 1.2% in the previous week, down from 1.4% in the same week 

a year ago. 

     ** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 ** 

[TOPICS: MAUDS$,M$U$$$,MAUDR$]