The data from the Labor Department revealed on Thursday the number of applications for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week, indicating the labor market remains very robust.

According to the report, the initial claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted 216,000 for the week ended January 25.

Economists had expected 215,000 new claims last week.

Claims for the prior week were revised upwardly to 223,000 from the initial estimate of 211,000.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims dropped by 1,750 to 214,500 last week.