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 February 19 fell to a seasonally adjusted 391K, after rising to 413K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 410K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 405K in the week ending February 19.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended February 12 fell more-than-expected, dropping to 3.790 million, compared to 3.935 million in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 3.911 million.
Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to decline to 3.900 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD gaining 0.1% to hit 1.3763.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a drop of 0.24%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a loss of 0.41%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures were down 0.28%.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending February 19 fell to a seasonally adjusted 391K, after rising to 413K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 410K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 405K in the week ending February 19.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended February 12 fell more-than-expected, dropping to 3.790 million, compared to 3.935 million in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 3.911 million.
Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to decline to 3.900 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD gaining 0.1% to hit 1.3763.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a drop of 0.24%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a loss of 0.41%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures were down 0.28%.