Unemployment Applications Fall 26,000

Washington, DC, Sept. 27, 2012 -- Initial applications for unemployment benefits last week fell to the lowest level since late July.

Initial jobless claims fell by 26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 359,000 in the week ended Sept. 22, the Labor Department said. Economists had forecast a decline to 375,000.

The average of new claims over the past month fell by 4,000 to 374,000.