The data from the Labor Department revealed on Thursday the number of applications for unemployment benefits decreased more than expected last week, signaling the labor market remains healthy despite cooling in some parts of the economy.

According to the report, the initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 204,000 for the week ended September 7. That marked the biggest one-week decline in claims since May.

Economists had expected 215,000 new claims last week.

Claims for the prior week were revised upwardly to 219,000 from the initial estimate of 217,000.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims decreased by 4,250 to 212,500 last week, the lowest since late July.