(Bloomberg). – Applications for U.S. State Unemployment Benefits fell by less than anticipated last week, following a dip tied to seasonal adjustments.

According to Labor Department data, initial claims of unemployment in regular state programs amounted to 278,000 for the week that ended on Nov. 27, up 28,000 over the previous week. A Bloomberg survey of economists estimated that 240,000 applications were required.

To smooth out huge swings in the data, the average four-week-old number of applications dropped to 238,750.

The level of claims is still near the lows of the pandemic and points to the labor market’s continuing recovery. However, the emerging omicron variant poses a risk to what’s otherwise been a solid pace of hiring.

The figures come a day before the government’s monthly employment report, which is projected to show payrolls increased by 546,000 in November.

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