Economy, Unemployment Benefits | featured news

New claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, according to a government report on Thursday that could ease fears the labor market recovery was stalling.

New claims for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week but a trend reading rose to its highest since January, the latest sign of a weaker pace of healing in the still-struggling labor market.

The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits suggests hiring is slowing. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications dipped last week by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 386,000. But that was only after the department revised up the previous week's data to show 8,000 more people applied for benefits than first estimated.

The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in four years, adding to evidence that the job market is strengthening.

New claims for unemployment benefits dropped to a fresh four-year low last week, according to a government report on Thursday that offered evidence the jobs market recovery was gaining traction.

New claims for unemployment benefits rose in the latest week, but not by enough to shake the conviction that the job market is still healing.

Unemployment benefit applications drop to 358,000, second-lowest level in nearly 4 years

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to a seasonally adjusted 377,000, after a nearly four-year low the previous week.

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits ticked up slightly last week, evidence that the job market isn't improving.

Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, though applications remain above levels consistent with a healthy economy.