U.S. Jobless Claims Fall, Labor Market Recovery Advances

WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, offering reassurance that the bottom is not falling out of the labor market despite signs of slower growth. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 339,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday. The prior week's number was revised to show 3,000 more applications than previously reported.