US unemployment claims fall
The number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits in the U.S. fell below expectations, falling to 212,000 in the week ending February 10. The U.S. Department of Labor announced the weekly data on unemployment benefits applications. Accordingly, the number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits in the country decreased by 8,000 in the week ending February 10 compared to the previous week, falling to 212,000. The number of applications, which fell below market expectations, was expected to be 220,000. The previous week's data on unemployment benefits was also revised upwards, from 218,000 to 220,000. As of last week, the four-week average number of unemployment benefits applications increased by 5,750 compared to the previous week, rising to 218,500. The number of ongoing unemployment benefits applications increased by 30,000 in the week ending February 3, reaching 1,895,000.