Investing.com - The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week fell more than expected, according to official data released on Thursday.
The number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits decreased by 4,000 to 218,000 the Labor Department said.
Analysts had expected claims to rise to 223,000 last week.
The four-week moving average fell by 1,250 to 224,250 last week. The monthly average is seen as a more accurate gauge of labor trends because it reduces volatility in the week-to-week data.
Continuing jobless claims, which measures the number of people still receiving benefits after an initial week of aid, came in at 1,697 in the previous week. Continuing claims are reported with a one week lag.