The number of people claiming unemployment benefits for the first time in the US unexpectedly dropped last week, while the southeastern US states affected by Hurricane “Helen” saw a sharp rise in the number of applicants the previous week. According to data released by the US Department of Labor on Thursday, the number of first-time jobless claims fell by 19,000 to 241,000 in the week ending October 12. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had a median forecast of 259,000 people. In the week ending October 5, the number of people continuing to claim unemployment benefits rose to 1.87 million, the highest level since July.

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits for the first time in the US unexpectedly dropped last week, while the southeastern US states affected by Hurricane “Helen” saw a sharp rise in the number of applicants the previous week. According to data released by the US Department of Labor on Thursday, the number of first-time jobless claims fell by 19,000 to 241,000 in the week ending October 12. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had a median forecast of 259,000 people. In the week ending October 5, the number of people continuing to claim unemployment benefits rose to 1.87 million, the highest level since July.