US: Initial weekly jobless claims decreased by 13,000 to 199,000

"In the week ending January 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 199,000, a decrease of 13,000 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 November 15, 1969 when it was 197,000.
• The 4-week moving average was 215,000, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average. 
• The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending January 12, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate.
• The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending January 12 was 1,713,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 1,737,000.