US jobless claims fell short of expectations last week

US jobless claims were below expectations: 209,000 in the week ending November 18.

Economists polled by Reuters predicted unemployment benefits would reach 226,000.

According to seasonally adjusted data announced by the US Department of Labor, the number of claims, which had previously been announced at 231,000 in the week ending November 11, was revised to 233,000.

DECREASED TO 220 THOUSAND

The four-week average of U.S. jobless claims, which is considered a better indicator of U.S. labor market trends, fell to 220,000 in the week ending Nov. 18.

The total number of people receiving unemployment benefits in the US decreased to 1.84 million in the week ending November 11. (REUTERS)