WASHINGTON — Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits held steady at 211,000 in the May 5 week, compared with a 215,000 level expected, keeping the level only marginally ahead of the decades-low 209,000 level in the April 21 week.
The four-week moving average fell 5,500 to 216,000 as a result, hitting the lowest level since the December 20, 1969, week, when it was 214,500.
The four-week moving average for claims could fall again next week, as a 233,000 level in the April 14 week rolls out of the calculation.
The Labor Department said that claims were estimated again in Colorado and Maine, and have still not resumed normal operations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The level of continuing claims rose by 30,000 to 1.790 million in the April 28 week after dipping in the previous week. The four-week moving average for continuing claims fell by 22,000 to 1.813 million, the lowest level since the December 29, 1973 week, when it was 1.784 million.
