Initial Jobless Applications Lower Than Expected

Washington, DC, March 21, 2013 --  Initial applications for unemployment benefits last week were lower than expected, according to Labor Department statistics.

Applications increased by 2,000 to 336,000 in the week ended March 16, lower that the 340,000 claims expected by economists.
 
The four-week moving average of claims dropped to a five-year low of 339,750 from 347,250.