First-time jobless claims down by 15,000

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Initial unemployment claims fell by 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 358,000 for the week ending Feb. 4, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday.

The previous week's figure was revised from 379,000 to 373,000, the department said in a release.

At 366,250, the four-week moving average held to less than 400,000 for the 12th consecutive week.

The rolling average dropped in the recent week by 11,000.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 8.3 percent in January, down from 8.5 percent in December.