US initial jobless claims down 6,000 last week, below expectations

ISTANBUL

The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims fell by 6,000 last week to 216,000, according to the US Labor Department data released on Wednesday.

The figure came below the market forecasts of 226,000 and was down from the previous week's upwardly revised level of 222,000.

The four-week moving average was 223,750, a decline of 1,000 from the previous week's upwardly revised average of 224,750.

The number of continuing unemployment benefit claims rose to 1.96 million in the same period from 1.95 million the previous week.

In September, the US economy added 119,000 jobs, well above market forecasts of 53,000.

Unemployment rose to 4.4% in September from 4.3% in August, above expectations.