The number of Americans seeking state jobless aid fell by 19,000 last week, the government said today in a report that showed fewer claims than expected.
First-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits fell to 389,000 in the week ended January 4th, down from a revised 408,000 the previous week, the Labor Department said. Wall Street economists forecast new claims at 397,000.
The report was released the day after President Bush signed a bill that restored extended jobless benefits, and the Labor Department said the bill was not likely to have any direct impact on future seasonally adjusted claims data.