First-time jobless claims drop modestly

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- First-time unemployment claims dropped by 2,000 to 339,000 in the week that ended Saturday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday.

The statistical office revised last week's claims higher by 5,000 to 341,000.

The four-week rolling average of first-time claims fell by 5,750 to 344,000, as figures continue to adjust sharply after a jump of 66,000 in one week during partial U.S. government shutdown in the first two weeks of October.

The largest increases in initial claims for the week that ended Nov. 2 were in Michigan with a gain of 2,720, Ohio, which added 2,289, and New Jersey with 1,371 additional claims.

The largest decreases were in Oregon, down by 3,011, California, down by 2,468, and Tennessee, down by 989.