The 4-week moving average was 239,500, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 248,250 to 248,500.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.3 percent for the week ending October 14, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate.
Continuing claims fell by 3,000 to 1,893,000 during the week ending October 14, the lowest level since December 29, 1973 when it was 1,805,000. The previous week's level was revised up 8,000 from 1,888,000 to 1,896,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,903,500, a decrease of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since January 12, 1974 when it was 1,881,000. The previous week's average was revised up by 2,000 from 1,906,000 to 1,908,000.