US initial jobless claims last week fell by 15,000 to a total of 190,000, the US Department of Labor reported today. The previous week’s unrevised level was 205,000.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 214,000 claims for the latest week. Part of the third straight weekly drop in claims likely reflected continuing challenges in adjusting the data for seasonal fluctuations at the start of the year, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims fell by 6,500 in the week ended Jan. 14 to 206,000.