Initial Jobless Applications Fall Unexpectedly

Washington, DC, Sept. 26, 2013 — Initial applications for unemployment benefits fell by 5,000 to 305,000 in the week ended Sept. 21, the Labor Department said.

Economists had expected claims to jump to 327,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis.

The average of new claims over the past month dropped by 7,000 to 308,000. That’s the lowest level since June 2007.