US WEEKLY JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL, BUT MORE PEOPLE COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS

The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits unexpectedly fell last week, consistent with a low level of layoffs, but the unemployment rate likely remained high in December amid sluggish hiring.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped for a second straight week, declining by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 214,000 for the week ended December 20, the Labor Department said on Wednesday.

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