Jobless Claims in US (week ended April 9) – The lowest since 1973

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, revisiting a level last seen in 1973 as the labor market continues to strengthen despite a sluggish economy.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 253,000 for the week ended April 9, the Labor Department said on Thursday. That matched the level for early March, which was the lowest since November 1973.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to 270,000 in the latest week. Joblessclaims have now been below 300,000, a threshold associated with healthy labor market conditions, for 58 weeks, the longest stretch since 1973.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at  Unemployment Claims Falls to Lowest Since 1973 – Fortune

Source: Calculated Risk: Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims decrease to 253,000