US jobless rate falls as labour market gathers steam

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, offering fresh evidence that the labour market was gathering steam.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 283,000 for the week ended last Saturday, the Labor Department said.

A Labor Department analyst said the department had estimated the claims data for Tennessee, where offices were closed on Tuesday because of bad weather.