Jobless Claims Continue Downward Trend

Washington, DC, Sept. 5, 2013 — Initial claims for unemployment benefits continued to decline last week, according to the Labor Department.

Initial claims fell by 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, close to a five-and-a-half year low.

Economists had expected claims to total 330,000.

The four-week average dropped by 3,000 to 328,500, the lowest level since October 2007.