US: Initial weekly jobless claims decreased by 17,000 to 216,000

"In the week ending January 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 216,000, a decrease of 17,000 from the previous week's revised level," the U.S. Department of Labor announced on Thursday.

Key takeaways from the press release

•  The 4-week moving average was 221,750, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average. 
• The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending December 29, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. 
• The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 29 was 1,722,000, a decrease of 28,000 from the previous week's revised level.