The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, nearing a 42-year low as labor market conditions continued to tighten in a boost to the economy.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 267,000 for the week ended Dec.19, not far from levels last seen in late 1973, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims dipping to 270,000 in the latest week.
Claims have been below 300,000, a threshold associated with a buoyant labor market, for 42 consecutive weeks.
That is the longest stretch since the early 1970s.