Investing.com – The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week fell more-than-expected, declining to the lowest level since July 2008, official data showed on Wednesday.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending November 20 declined to a seasonally adjusted 407K, after rising to 441K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 439K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 434K in the week ending November 20.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD gaining 0.12% to hit 1.3382.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a rise of 0.68%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a gain of 0.81% and Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 0.85%.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending November 20 declined to a seasonally adjusted 407K, after rising to 441K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 439K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 434K in the week ending November 20.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD gaining 0.12% to hit 1.3382.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a rise of 0.68%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a gain of 0.81% and Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 0.85%.