ANKARA
Fewer than anticipated U.S. citizens filed for unemployment benefits over the last nine weeks, official statistics have revealed.
The number dropped to 268,000 in the period from January 24 to March 28, down 20,000 from the previous period, a U.S. Labor Department report showed Thursday.
Different polls from news agencies had predicted about 285,000 jobless claims, significantly higher than recent figures.
Figures suggest employers are more optimistic about the future of the U.S. economy and looking to minimize any decisions to dismiss people.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced in a separate report that the foreign trade deficit was down $7.2 billion from $42.7 billion in January, significantly lower than the anticipated $41 billion.
