US weekly jobless claims unexpectedly fall

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 applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, suggesting an orderly labor market slowdown remained in place, though laid-off workers are finding it a bit difficult to land new jobs.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted 227,000 for the week ended Aug. 10, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 235,000 claims for the latest week.