Weekly Jobless Claims Drop, 4-Week Average Lowest Since 2000

Reuters
Updated
Unemployment Benefits
Wilfredo Lee/AP

By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, in the latest sign of tightening labor market conditions.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 278,000 for the week ended Nov. 1, the Labor Department said Thursday.

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