Claims were estimated for Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Virginia, Wyoming, Virgin Icelands and Puerto Rico.
The 4-week moving average was 244,500, a decrease of 6,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 250,750.
The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending January 6 was 1,952,000, an increase of 76,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up 7,000 from 1,869,000 to 1,876,000.
Claims had increased over the previous four weeks, mostly due to seasonal fluctuations coused by moving holidays and cold weather.