New applications for unemployment benefits in the United States unexpectedly declined slightly in the week ending March 7, according to figures released Thursday by the Labor Department.
Initial jobless claims totaled 213,000 for the week, down by 1,000 from the prior week’s revised figure of 214,000, the report showed.
Economists had anticipated a small increase in claims to 215,000 from the previously reported level of 213,000 for the week before.
The Labor Department also said the four-week moving average of claims, which helps smooth out weekly volatility, fell to 212,000. That represented a decrease of 4,000 compared with the previous week’s revised average of 216,000.