Initial Jobless Claims Fall Fifth Straight Week

Washington, DC, Dec. 3, 2009--In a sign of improving labor markets, initial jobless claims fell for a fifth straight week, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

However, a large increase in the number of people collecting checks indicates hiring remained sluggish.

The number of Americans filing for state unemployment benefits fell by a seasonally adjusted 5,000 to 457,000 in the week ending Nov. 28. It's the fewest initial claims since September 2008.

Claims in the previous week were revised lower by 4,000 to 462,000. Economists  had expected initial claims to rise to about 480,000.

The total number of people claiming benefits rose by 527,000 to 9.61 million, as a new program for extended benefits kicked in.