New applications for unemployment benefits fell south of the border last week, indicating continued job growth after a slowdown in March.
Figures released by the U.S. Labor Department Thursday showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 232,000 for the week ended April 14, while data for the prior week was unrevised.
Economists had forecast claims falling to 230,000 in the latest week.
The American economy created 103,000 jobs in March, the fewest in six months. Economists largely dismissed the slowdown as payback after strong gains in February. They also blamed cooler temperatures for the moderation in hiring.
The stateside labour market is considered to be near or at full employment. The unemployment rate is at a 17-year low of 4.1%, not far from the Federal Reserve's forecast of 3.8% by the end of this year.
The Fed's "Beige Book" report on Wednesday indicated that businesses remain upbeat about the economy, with tight labour markets and strong borrowing seen as a sign that economic growth is likely to continue.
The document, a compendium of opinions about the economy gathered from business contacts throughout the Fed's 12 regional districts, highlighted growing labor shortages across high-skilled occupations and in the construction and transportation sectors.
The four-week moving average of initial claims, viewed as a better measure of labour market trends as it irons out week-to-week volatility, increased 1,250 to 231,250 last week, from an unrevised 230,000 in the previous week.
The claims report also showed the number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid fell 15,000 to 1.86 million in the week ended April 7. The four-week moving average of the so-called continuing claims rose 6,750 to 1.86 million.
