Initial jobless claims for the week ending June 4 increased by 27,000 to 229,000 (consensus 208,000) while continuing claims for the week ending May 28 were unchanged at 1.306 million. Claims are still close to historically low levels.
The four-week moving average for initial claims increased by 8,000 to 215,000.
The four-week moving average for continuing claims decreased by 9,000 to 1,317,500. That is the lowest level since January 10, 1970.
The total number of continued weeks claimed for benefits in all programs for the week ending May 21 was 1,283,684, a decrease of 35,619 from the previous week. In the same week a year ago, there were 15,385,233 weekly claims filed for benefits in all programs.