Jobless claims drop by 10,000

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- First-time unemployment benefits claims dropped by 10,000 in the week that ended Saturday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Wednesday.

The statistical office said initial claims fell to 316,000 in the week. The bureau also revised last week's figure from 323,000 to 326,000.

The four-week rolling average of first-time unemployment benefits claims fell by 7,500 to 331,750.

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending Nov. 16 were in Florida, up by 888, Idaho with a gain of 573 and Mississippi, with a gain of 5345.

The largest decreases were in California, down by 4,644, Michigan, down by 3,342, and Pennsylvania, down by 3,112.