**MNI: 5 Things We Learned From The Initial Claims Data>

By Sara Haire and Holly Stokes

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

unemployment insurance claims data for the December 2 week released by 

the Labor Department Thursday: 

     - Initial jobless claims fell by 2,000 to 236,000, below the 

240,000 level expected, but still keeping claims roughly on trend.

     - The four-week moving average fell 750 to 241,500. The average 

could fall next week as the 252,000 level in Nov 11 week rolls out. 

     - Unadjusted claims from Puerto Rico totalled 7,115, up from 

3,106 filings last week when there were a holiday. 

     - The claims taking process has not yet returned to normal, while 

filings in Virgin Islands continue to be disrupted. 

     - Continuing claims -52k to 1.908m in the Nov 25 week.

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

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