The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to an improving labour market.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 297,000 for the week ended Nov. 29, the U.S. Labor Department said on Thursday.
The decline almost reversed the prior week's increase which had pushed claims above 300,000 for the first time since early September. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims falling to 295,000 last week.
The four-week moving average of claims, considered a better measure of labour market trends as it irons out week-to-week volatility, increased by 4,750 to 299,0000. It has held below 300,000 for 12 straight weeks, indicating labour market strength.
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