The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits unexpectedly fell last week, suggesting employers may be holding on to workers despite other indications of a cooling labor market.

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, remaining in the historically healthy range of the past couple years. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending July 5 fell by 5,

The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits unexpectedly fell to a seven-week low last week, suggesting employers may be holding on to workers despite other indications of a cooling labor market and creating no urgency for the Federal Reserve to resume its interest rate cuts.

The US Department of Labour (DOL) reported on Thursday that the number of US citizens submitting new applications for unemployment insurance fell to 227K for the week ending July 5. The latest print fell short of initial estimates and the revised figure from the previous week, which stood at 232K after being adjusted from 233K.

The number of Americans who newly filed for unemployment benefits declined last week, the Labor Department said Thursday, although the report suggested that the size of the unemployed population continued to grow in June.

The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell to a six-week low last week, but the ranks of those continuing to collect benefits after their initial week held steady at the highest in nearly four years in the prior week.

Applications for US unemployment benefits slid for a fourth week running, reaching their lowest level in two months. The numbers: Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 5,000 to 227,000 in the week ending 5 July.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending July 5 fell by 5,000 to 227,000, fewer than the 238,000 that analysts forecast. Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as representative of layoffs.