Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits fell to a four-week low at the end of 2019, the latest sign that the stateside labour market remains robust.
Figures released Thursday by the U.S. Labor Department revealed that jobless claims fell by 2,000 to 222,000 in the week ended Dec. 28. The figures proved about in line with estimates in surveys of economists. The four-week average, a less-volatile measure, edged up somewhat to 233,250.
The four-week average was the highest since January 2018 following a surge in claims in early December that was likely due to the late timing of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, increased by 5,000 to 1.728 million in the week ended Dec. 21.
