New jobless claims fall after rise in previous week

Data released from the federal government shows workers still face an unpredictable job market as initial claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, just as revised figures showed an uptick in the number of first-time claims in the week prior.

The number of workers filing for initial unemployment benefits for the first time fell last week by 4,000 to 570,000, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday. A more important measure, showing the average number of claims during a four-week period, however, rose 4,000 to 571,250. The data allows for seasonal variations in employment.