The Labor Department said today that new jobless claims fell by 18.000 to 324.000 last week. This is the lowest level since January 2008. Analysts had expected an increase to 346.000 units. The previous week's figure was revised up from 339.000 to 342.000 units.
The four-week moving average, which is considered more reliable because it is less volatile, fell by 16.000 units to 342.250 units last week. The number of ongoing requests rose in the week ending April 20 to 3,02 million. Experts had expected 3,05 million.
