Investing.com – The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week fell more-than-expected, official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending December 4 fell to a seasonally adjusted 421K, after rising to 438K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 436K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 430K in the week ending December 4.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was up against the euro, with EUR/USD falling 0.19% to hit 1.3236.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a rise of 0.36%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a gain of 0.43% and Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.37%.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending December 4 fell to a seasonally adjusted 421K, after rising to 438K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 436K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 430K in the week ending December 4.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was up against the euro, with EUR/USD falling 0.19% to hit 1.3236.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a rise of 0.36%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a gain of 0.43% and Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.37%.