The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell from a six-month high last week. According to Reuters, the drop suggests the labor market recovery remains intact--despite a sharp stock market sell-off and signs the economy has lost significant momentum. The Labor Department said on Thursday that initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped to a seasonally adjusted 278,000 in the week ended Jan. 23rd. That's down from 294,000 the prior week. Claims have been volatile in recent weeks because of difficulties adjusting the figures to account for seasonal fluctuations.