The 4-week moving average was 232,500, a decrease of 7,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 7, 1973 when it was 232,250. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 239,500 to 239,750.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.3 percent for the week ending October 21, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the previous week's revised rate. The previous week's rate was revised up by 0.1
from 1.3 to 1.4 percent.
Continuing claims fell by 15,000 to 1,884,000 during the week ending October 21, the lowest level since December 29, 1973 when it was 1,805,000. The previous week's level was revised up 6,000 from 1,893,000 to 1,899,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,895,750, a decrease of 9,250 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 1,500 from 1,903,500 to 1,905,000.