Investing.com – The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week fell more-than-expected, dropping the most since February 2010, 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 January 15 fell to a seasonally adjusted 404K, after rising to 441K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised down from 445K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 425K in the week ending January 15.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended January 8 fell unexpectedly, decreasing to 3.861 million, compared to 3.887 million in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 3.879 million in the preceding week. Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to rise to 3.900 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was up against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.12% to hit 1.3454.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a loss of 0.25%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a drop of 0.21% and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.22%.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending January 15 fell to a seasonally adjusted 404K, after rising to 441K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised down from 445K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 425K in the week ending January 15.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended January 8 fell unexpectedly, decreasing to 3.861 million, compared to 3.887 million in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 3.879 million in the preceding week. Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to rise to 3.900 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was up against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.12% to hit 1.3454.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a loss of 0.25%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a drop of 0.21% and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.22%.