Fewer Americans than forecast filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance payments last week, an indication the labor market may be gaining traction. Applications for jobless benefits decreased 5,000 in the week ended Nov. 12 to 388,000, the lowest level since April, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. Economists forecast 395,000 claims, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. The number of people on unemployment benefit rolls fell to a three-year low. As firings diminish, U.S. companies may add to payrolls at a faster pace as demand picks up. Sales that grew more than ... (full story)