US jobless claims fell short of expectations last week

Claims for unemployment benefits in the US were below expectations: 220,000 in the week ending September 9.

Economists participating in the Reuters poll predicted unemployment benefits would reach 225,000.

According to seasonally adjusted data announced by the US Department of Labor, the number of claims, which had previously been announced at 216,000 in the week ending September 2, was revised to 217,000.

4 WEEK AVERAGE DECREASED

The four-week average of US jobless claims, which is believed to be a better indicator of US labor market trends, decreased to 224,500 in the week ending September 9.

The total number of people receiving unemployment benefits in the US increased to 1.688 million in the week ending September 2. (REUTERS)