U.S. Jobless Claims Decline to a Five-Week Low of 234,000
U.S. Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Fall to 234,000
This article is for subscribers only.
Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits declined to a five-week low, highlighting a resilient job market, a Labor Department report showed Thursday.
Claims are hovering near the lowest level since the early 1970s, indicating employers remain reluctant to reduce staff amid steady demand and a shortage of workers with relevant skills and experience. Economists consider weekly filings below 300,000 as consistent with a healthy labor market. The data, which have been volatile lately, come a day before the monthly payrolls report that is projected to show the addition of 180,000 workers in March following a 235,000 advance the prior month.