Claims for jobless benefits fall

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, which could ease fears of a marked deterioration in labour market conditions after a surprise stumble in job growth in March.

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped to its lowest level in nearly 5-1/2 years last week, signalling labor market resilience in the face of fiscal austerity. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, the lowest level since January 2008, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims for the prior week were revised to show 3,000 more applications received than previously reported.

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell to its lowest since the early days of the 2007-09 recession, a hopeful sign for the sluggish labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 330,000, the lowest level since January 2008, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims have now fallen for two straight weeks, suggesting that if employers are concerned tax hikes enacted this year will affect consumer demand, this is not leading to more layoffs.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, according to a government

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped for a third straight week last week, the latest indication the labor market recovery was gaining traction. Other data on Thursday showed a spike in the cost of gasoline pushed up producer prices last month, but the lack of broad price pressures gives the Federal Reserve scope to maintain its very accommodative monetary policy stance even as the job market strengthens.

New claims for US unemployment benefits fell last week to their lowest level since March 2008, official data showed Thursday in a fresh sign of improvement in the troubled job market.Initial jobless claims fell to 348,000 in the week ending February 11, down 3.6 percent from the prior week, the Labor Department reported.The decline in claims was much better than the 365,000 new filings analysts had expected.