In the week ending October 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 397,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 406,000. The 4-week moving average was 404,500, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 406,500.The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since January 2000.
The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week average of weekly unemployment claims increased this week to 404,500.
Click on graph for larger image.
This is down from September, but still elevated - and still above the post-recession lows of earlier this year.
For a longer term graph, see the employment graph gallery.