Investing.com - The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. fell unexpectedly last week, according to official data released on Thursday.
The number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits fell by 7,000 to 222,000 the Labor Department said.
Analysts had expected claims to total 230,000 last week.
Figures for the prior week were revised down to 229,000 from 230,000.
The four-week moving average decreased by 2,250 to 226,000 last week. The monthly average is seen as a more accurate gauge of labor trends because it reduces volatility in the week-to-week data.
Continuing jobless claims, which measures the number of people still receiving benefits after an initial week of aid, came in at 1,870,000 in the previous week. Continuing claims are reported with a one week lag.