US: Initial weekly jobless claims decreased by 8,000 to 196,000

"In the week ending April 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 196,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level," the U.S. Department of Labor announced on Thursday.

Key takeaways from the press release

• This is the lowest level for initial claims since October 4, 1969 when it was 193,000.
• The 4-week moving average was 207,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised average.
  • This is the lowest level for this average since December 6, 1969 when it was 204,500. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 213,500 to 214,000. 
• The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending March 30 was 1,713,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level.