The number of claims for unemployment benefits in the United States fell from 28,000 in the week ended March 19 to 187,000, according to seasonally adjusted data published Thursday by the US Labor Department.
The result was below the expectations of analysts consulted by the The Wall Street Journal, which predicted 210,000 requests. The previous week’s total orders were revised up slightly from 214,000 to 215,000.
The number of continued orders dropped 67,000 in the week ended March 12, to 1.35 million. This indicator is released one week late.
Capital goods orders in the country fall in February
New orders for US-made capital goods unexpectedly dropped in February as shipments slowed, but demand for goods remained strong and should keep manufacturing expanding.
Orders for capital goods excluding defense and aircraft, a measure of corporate spending plans, dropped 0.3% last month, the Commerce Department said on Thursday. The so-called core of capital goods orders jumped 1.3% in January.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a 0.5% increase.
Core capital goods shipments gained 0.5% last month after rising 2.1% in January. Shipments are used to calculate equipment expenditures in Gross Domestic Product.
Demand for goods remains strong even as spending shifts back to services, which keeps manufacturing growing. But the sector, which accounts for 11.9% of the economy, continues to face supply bottlenecks.
Orders for durable goods, items ranging from toasters to aircraft and expected to last three years or more, fell 2.2% after rising 1.6% in January.
*With information from Reuters
This content was originally published in US jobless claims drop to 187,000 in the week on CNN Brasil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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