U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Fell 22,000 to 391,000 Last Week
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The number of Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment insurance fell more than forecast last week, indicating an improving labor market.
Applications for jobless benefits decreased by 22,000 to 391,000 in the week ended Feb. 19, Labor Department figures showed today. Economists forecast claims would drop to 405,000, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. Claims have fallen in three of the past four weeks, pushing down the monthly average to the lowest level since July 2008.