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The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level in six months last week as layoffs remain at relatively healthy levels

According to the Labor Department, jobless claim applications decreased by 4,000 to 217,000 for the week of November 9.

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, suggesting the labor market continued to chug along and that the abrupt slowdown in job growth in October was an aberration.

Initial jobless claims fell by 4,000 to 217,000 in the week ending Nov. 9, the Labor Department said Thursday. It is the lowest level of claims since May.   Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had estimated new claims would fall by 1,

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level in six months last week as layoffs remain at relatively healthy levels. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications fell by 4,