US Unemployment Claims at 180,000... Lowest in 9 Months

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Additional indicators suggest that the US labor market remains strong.

According to the US Department of Labor on the 2nd (local time), the number of new unemployment insurance claims for the week of January 22-28 was 183,000, down 3,000 from the previous week. This is the lowest level since April last year. It also falls short of Wall Street's forecast of 195,000 claims. The weekly unemployment insurance claims in the US have been declining for five consecutive weeks.

The number of continuing unemployment insurance claims, which are filed by those claiming benefits for at least two weeks, also decreased by 11,000 to 1.66 million.