MNI DATA IMPACT: US Jobless Claims Fall 10,000 In March 30 Wk>

-- 4-Wk Moving Average -4,000 To 213,500;May Fall Next Wk

-- Continuing Claims -38,000 To 1.717m

By Harrison Clarke

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The level of initial claims fell by 10,000 to 

202,000 in the March 30 week, well below the 216,000 reading expected by 

an MNI survey and 215,000 expected by the Bloomberg consensus. 

     Here are some of the key factors from the data release on Thursday: 

     - The four-week moving average for claims fell by 4,000 to 213,500 

in the March 30 week after a decline of 4,000 in the previous week. If 

the headline holds steady next week, the average would fall by 5,500 to 

208,000 as a 224,000 level in the March 9 week rolls out. 

     - The 202,000 reading for initial claims is the lowest level since 

the December 6, 1969 week, which also posted an initial claims level of 

202,000.

     - Unadjusted claims fell by 7,522, led by a 2,027 decline in 

Texas. Continuing claims fell by 38,000 to 1.717 million in the March 23 

week, with the four-week moving average falling to 1.743 million. 

     - The rate of insured unemployment remained at 1.2% in the March 23 

week, below the 1.3% level from the comparable week one year ago. 

     - Claims were estimated for California. 

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

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