Initial Jobless Claims Edge Down

Washington, DC, June 10, 2010--Initial jobless claims fell 3,000 to 456,000 in the week ended June 5, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Economists had expected an initial claims level of 445,000.

The Labor Department says the total unemployment benefit rolls fell by 255,000 to a seasonally adjusted 4.5 million. It was the lowest total since December 2008.

The four-week average of initial claims rose 2,500 to 463,000.