FILE PHOTO: Signage for a job fair is seen on 5th Avenue 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 that job growth likely rebounded in November after abruptly slowing last month amid hurricanes and strikes.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 213,000 for the week ended Nov. 16, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 220,000 claims for the latest week.
