US jobless claims near coronavirus pandemic-low level

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims were around its lowest level during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Labor Department on Thursday.

Initial jobless claims decreased 13,000 to 553,000 last week. Analysts expected 549,000 for the week ending April 24, while the previous week was revised up by 19,000 from 547,000 to 566,000.

This marked the fourth time during the coronavirus pandemic that initial jobless claims came below 700,000.

The world's largest economy, however, still has around 9.7 million unemployed individuals after adding 916,000 jobs last month.

The unemployment rate fell to 6% in March, from 6.2% the previous month, according to the agency.