Weekly Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Level in 2 Months

By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, suggesting some strengthening of labor market conditions.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. Claims for the prior week were revised to show 5,000 more applications received than previously reported.