U.S. weekly jobless claims unexpectedly decline

The data from the Labor Department revealed on Thursday the number of applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, pointing to a still-tight jobs market.

According to the report, the initial claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 212,000 for the week ended October 19.

Economists had expected 215,000 new claims last week.

Claims for the prior week were revised upwardly to 218,000 from the initial estimate of 214,000.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims decreased by 750 to 215,000 last week.