Initial Jobless Claims Decline

Washington, DC, Aug. 9, 2012 -- Initial applications for unemployment benefits fell unexpectedly last week, according to the Labor Department.

Jobless claims fell 6,000 to 361,000 in the week ended Aug. 4. Economists  had projected claims would rise to 370,000.

Weekly applications for benefits have ranged from 352,000 to 392,000 in the first seven months of 2012.