In the week ending April 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 232,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 233,000. The 4-week moving average was 231,250, an increase of 1,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 230,000. Claims taking procedures in Puerto Rico and in the Virgin Islands have still not returned to normal. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.3 percent for the week ending April 7, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ... (full story)

U.S. filings for unemployment benefits fell to a three-week low, continuing a trend that indicates a tight labor market, Labor Department figures showed Thursday. A widespread shortage of qualified workers is prompting employers to retain staff, keeping claims near the lowest level in 45 years. While the week-to-week numbers can be volatile, benefits applications below 300,000 are considered consistent with a healthy labor market. The latest results may get extra scrutiny from economists because they cover the week including the 12th of the month, the Labor Department's reference period for its monthly employment ... (full story)