Initial Jobless Claims Hold Steady

Washington, DC, May 13, 2010--Initial jobless claims essentially held steady at 444,000 in the latest week, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Claims fell by 4,000 for the week ended May 8, but the data was revised up by 4,000 for the prior week.

The four-week average of initial claims dropped by 9,000 to 450,500. Economists predicted initial claims would dip to a seasonally adjusted 440,000.