Figures released Thursday morning show that the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell from a six-month high last week. This seems to suggest the labour market recovery south of the border remains intact despite a sharp stock market selloff and signs the economy has lost significant momentum.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped to a seasonally-adjusted 278,000 in the week ended Jan. 23 from 294,000 the prior week, the U.S. Labor Department said on Thursday.
Economists had forecast claims falling to 282,000 in the most recent week. Claims have been volatile in recent weeks because of difficulties adjusting the figures to accounts for seasonal fluctuations.
