The data from
the Labor Department revealed on Thursday the number of applications for
unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to strong labor market
conditions.
According to
the report, the initial claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 10,000 to
a seasonally adjusted 206,000 for the week ended July 20, the lowest level
since mid-April.
Economists had
expected 219,000 new claims last week.
Claims for the
prior week were remained unchanged at 216,000.
Meanwhile, the
four-week moving average of claims decreased by 5,750 to 213,000 last week.