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 March 19 fell to a seasonally adjusted 382K, down from 387K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 385K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 384K.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended March 12 fell less-than-expected, dropping to 3.721 million, down from 3.723 million in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 3.706 million.
Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to fall to 3.700 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD gaining 0.37% to hit 1.4140.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a gain of 0.5%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a rise of 0.55%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.8%.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending March 19 fell to a seasonally adjusted 382K, down from 387K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 385K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 384K.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended March 12 fell less-than-expected, dropping to 3.721 million, down from 3.723 million in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 3.706 million.
Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to fall to 3.700 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD gaining 0.37% to hit 1.4140.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a gain of 0.5%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a rise of 0.55%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.8%.