Continuing a well-established trend, fewer Americans filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, according to the Thursday report compiled by the Department of Labor. Dropping by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 312,000, jobless claims — which serve as a proxy for layoffs — highlight the fact that emerging unemployment is returning to acceptable levels. Or, in other words, fewer Americans are being laid off, even if the nation’s long-term unemployment level remains elevated. Current jobless claims levels fall within an acceptable range; economists say any claim figure below 350,000 indicates moderate job ... (full story)