US initial jobless claims increased 6k to 222k last week, mostly in line with expectations of 221k.

• Not seasonally adjusted initial claims fell -11.2k to 209.7k, basically unchanged from 202,6k a year ago.
• Total continued claims fell -37k to 1.841 million, below expectations of a slight increase to 1.880 million.
• The insured unemployment rate was unchanged at 1.2%.
• Federal employee claims (UCFE) increased 87 to 629, about 160 higher than a year ago.

• Kentucky, Michigan, and Missouri all reported a tick up in claims of more than 1,000 due to layoffs in the manufacturing industry.