The 4-week moving average was 224,750, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 228,000 to 228,500.
According to unadjusted data, the largest declines were seen in Pennsylvania (-10,604); New York (-8,853); California (-6,990) and Georgia (-4,010) while the biggest increases were reported in Colorado (+467); Massachusetts (+372) and Idaho (+308).
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending December 1, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the previous week's unrevised rate.
The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 1 was 1,661,000, an increase of 25,000 from the previous week's revised level. Figures came above market expectations of 1,650,000. The previous week's level was revised up 5,000 from 1,631,000 to 1,636,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,665,750, a decrease of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,250 from 1,667,000 to 1,668,250.