The 4-week moving average was 218,000, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 222,000 to 222,750.
According to unadjusted data, the largest declines were seen in Texas (-1,823); Michigan (-1,513); Florida (-1,007) and Louisiana (-488) while the biggest increases were reported in New Jersey (+6,155); Pennsylvania (+3,078); Missouri (+2,463) and Ohio (+2,385).
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending December 15, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate.
The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 15 was 1,701,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up 17,000 from 1,688,000 to 1,705,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,675,750, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 4,250 from 1,672,500 to 1,676,750.