The 4-week moving average was 246,750, a decrease of 10,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since November 3, 1973 when it was 244,000. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 256,500 to 257,000.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.5 percent for the week ending January 7, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate.
The continuing claims drawn by workers for more than a week (the advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment) during the week ending January 7 was 2,046,000, a decrease of 47,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up 6,000 from 2,087,000 to 2,093,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,090,000, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,500 from 2,086,750 to 2,088,250.