The DOL reported:
In the week ending August 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 209,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 220,000 to 221,000. The 4-week moving average was 214,500, an increase of 500 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 250 from 213,750 to 214,000.
emphasis added
The previous week was revised up.
The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since 1971.
Click on graph for larger image.
The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week average of weekly unemployment claims increased to 214,500.
This was lower than the consensus forecast.