The number of applications for unemployment benefits in the United States unexpectedly decreased

According to the weekly report of the US Department of Labor, the number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits for the first time decreased by 2 thousand and amounted to 243 thousand people. The current statistics surprised analysts who expected the indicator to grow to 252 thousand. 

A week earlier, according to the revised data, the figure was 245 thousand, not 250 thousand, as previously reported.

The average number of applications over the last 4 weeks (a less volatile indicator) increased by 1.5 thousand to 247 thousand.

The number of Americans continuing to receive unemployment benefits fell to 1.415 million from a revised 1.434 million in the previous week. At the same time, experts on average predicted an increase in the indicator to 1.442 million.