The number of jobless claims in the US fell to its lowest level in more than three years last week, indicating that employers are generally retaining employees despite recent news of layoffs. In the week ending November 29, initial jobless claims fell by 27,000 to 191,000. According to a Bloomberg survey of economists, the median market expectation was 220,000. The data on first-time jobless claims during the holidays is particularly volatile. According to data released by the US Department of Labor on Thursday, the number of continuous claimants, which is an alternative indicator for the number of people receiving benefits, fell to 1.94 million in the previous week.

The number of jobless claims in the US fell to its lowest level in more than three years last week, indicating that employers are generally retaining employees despite recent news of layoffs. In the week ending November 29, initial jobless claims fell by 27,000 to 191,000. According to a Bloomberg survey of economists, the median market expectation was 220,000. The data on first-time jobless claims during the holidays is particularly volatile. According to data released by the US Department of Labor on Thursday, the number of continuous claimants, which is an alternative indicator for the number of people receiving benefits, fell to 1.94 million in the previous week.