The
data from the Labor Department revealed on Thursday the number of applications
for unemployment benefits decreased less than expected last week.
According
to the report, the initial claims for unemployment benefits fell 2,000 to 228,000
for the week ended May 4.
Economists
had expected 220,000 new claims last week.
Claims
for the prior week were remained unchanged at 230,000.
Meanwhile,
the four-week moving average of claims rose 7,750 to 220,250 last week.