Fewer Americans than forecast filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, reflecting a rebound from the Thanksgiving holiday and fewer seasonal firings which may signal the labor market is on the mend. Jobless claims dropped by 23,000 to 381,000 in the week ended Dec. 3, the fewest since February, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast of 47 economists in a Bloomberg News survey called for a drop to 395,000. The number of people on unemployment benefit rolls and those getting extended payments also decreased. Companies are firing fewer workers yet may be reluctant to ramp ... (full story)