In the week ending February 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 234,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 246,000. The 4-week moving average was 244,250, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 248,000. This is the lowest level for this average since November 3, 1973 when it was 244,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.5 percent for the week ending January 28, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending ... (full story)

Applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. unexpectedly declined last week to an almost three-month low, echoing a vibrant job market. Jobless claims fell by 12,000 to 234,000 in the week ended Feb. 4, a report from the Labor Department showed Thursday. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for 249,000. The average of applications filed over the past four weeks reached the lowest point since 1973. The latest results extend a trend of historically low claims, with applications staying below 300,000 in the longest streak since 1970. A shortage of skilled workers is prompting companies to hold on to ... (full story)