The number of Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment for the week ending 2/24/18 fell to 210,000, the lowest level since 12/6/69! This is no fluke. The more stable four-week moving average for initial claims fell to 220,500, the lowest level since 12/27/69. This too is no fluke. First time claims have remained under 300,000 for 156 straight weeks, the longest such stretch since a 161-week run ended in 4/70.