Economics
U.S. Jobless Claims Fall to 49-Year Low Despite Federal Shutdown
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Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits fell lastweek to the lowest level since 1969, signaling the labor marketremains tight despite the partial federal-government shutdown.
Jobless claims declined 13,000 to 199,000 in the week ended Jan.19, bucking economist forecasts for an increase, LaborDepartment figures showed Thursday. The four-week average, aless-volatile measure, decreased to 215,000, the lowest sinceearly November.