Jobless Claims in U.S. Decrease to Three-Month Low

Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week to the lowest level in three months, indicating the labor market may be thawing.

Jobless claims dropped by 11,000 to 445,000 in the week ended Oct. 2, the fewest since July 10, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast or 47 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News projected 455,000 new claims last week. The total number of people receiving unemployment insurance decreased and those getting extended payments jumped.