US weekly jobless claims fall as labor market remains tight

FILE PHOTO: Signage for a job fair is seen on 5th Avenue after the release of the jobs report in Manhattan, New York City, U.S. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

WASHINGTON: The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to a still tight labor market.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 11,000 to a seasonally adjusted 239,000 for the week ended Aug. 12, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 240,000 claims for the latest week.