US jobless claims fall to six-week low

(Sharecast News) - Claims for unemployment benefits in the United States unexpectedly fell last week, according to the Department of Labor, hitting their lowest level since the middle of May. Seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims decreased 2,000 over the week to 4 July to 215,000, while the previous week's reading was revised up by 2,000 to 217,000.

This was the lowest level since the week to 23 May and below the consensus forecast of 218,000.

The four-week moving average for claims fell 3,750 to 218,750, the lowest level in around a month.

Meanwhile, continuing jobless claims, which are the number of individuals who have already filed an initial claim for benefits, rose 8,000 to 1,814,000, though the previous week's figure was revised down by the same amount.