US jobless claims fall to lowest level since 1969, again

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims fell 43,000 to 184,000 last week, hovering below its pre-pandemic level, the US Labor Department said Thursday.

The figure is the ninth consecutive week below 300,000 and "the lowest level for initial claims since September 6, 1969, when it was 182,000," it said.

It marks the second time claims fell to the lowest level since 1969, after the week ending Nov. 20 last month.

Analysts expected the figure to come in at 215,000 for the week ending Dec. 4. Last week's level was revised up 5,000 from 222,000 to 227,000.

The unemployment rate in the world's largest economy fell to 4.2% in November, down from 4.6% in October, according to the Labor Department.

The US economy, however, added 210,000 jobs in November, much lower than estimates.