Weekly U.S. Jobless Claims at 220,000, Slightly Below Expectations

# U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to 220,000, Beating Expectations New York – The U.S. Department of Labor reported on Monday that the number of initial jobless claims for the week of March 2-8 decreased by 2,000 to 220,000. This figure falls below the 225,000 claims forecasted by analysts polled by Dow Jones. Continuing unemployment claims—which represent those who have filed for unemployment benefits for two weeks or more—declined by 27,000 to 1.87 million for the week of February 23 to March 1. The Wall Street community is closely monitoring labor market indicators amid weakening consumer sentiment regarding the U.S. economic situation. pan@yna.co.kr