The DOL reported:
In the week ending December 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 184,000, a decrease of 43,000 from the previous week’s revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since September 6, 1969 when it was 182,000. The previous week’s level was revised up by 5,000 from 222,000 to 227,000. The 4-week moving average was 218,750, a decrease of 21,250 from the previous week’s revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since March 7, 2020 when it was 215,250. The previous week’s average was revised up by 1,250 from 238,750 to 240,000.
emphasis added
The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since 1971.
The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week average of weekly unemployment claims decreased to 218,750.
The previous week was revised up.
Regular state continued claims increased to 1,992,000 (SA) from 1,954,000 (SA) the previous week.
Weekly claims were well below the consensus forecast.