Investing.com - The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. fell less-than-expected last week, while the previous week’s figure was revised higher, 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 November 24 fell by 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 393,000, compared to expectations for a decline of 26,000 to 390,000.
Jobless claims for the preceding week were revised up to 416,000 from a previously reported 410,000,
Continuing jobless claims in the week ended November 17 fell to 3.287 million. Analysts had expected continuing claims to drop to 3.323 million from last week’s revised figure of 3.357 million.
The four-week moving average was 405,250, an increase of 7,500 from the previous week's revised average of 397,750.
The monthly average is seen as a more accurate gauge of labor trends because it reduces volatility in the week-to-week data.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained lower against the euro, with EUR/USD adding 0.35% to trade at 1.2999.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures held on to gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a rise of 0.4% at the open, S&P 500 futures indicated a gain of 0.45%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a 0.55% advance.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending November 24 fell by 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 393,000, compared to expectations for a decline of 26,000 to 390,000.
Jobless claims for the preceding week were revised up to 416,000 from a previously reported 410,000,
Continuing jobless claims in the week ended November 17 fell to 3.287 million. Analysts had expected continuing claims to drop to 3.323 million from last week’s revised figure of 3.357 million.
The four-week moving average was 405,250, an increase of 7,500 from the previous week's revised average of 397,750.
The monthly average is seen as a more accurate gauge of labor trends because it reduces volatility in the week-to-week data.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained lower against the euro, with EUR/USD adding 0.35% to trade at 1.2999.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures held on to gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a rise of 0.4% at the open, S&P 500 futures indicated a gain of 0.45%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a 0.55% advance.