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The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, pointing to a steadily firming labour market.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 271,000 for the week ended August 22, the Labor Department said on Thursday. It was the first decline since July 18. Claims for the prior week were unrevised. Economists had forecast claims falling to 274,000 last week.
