US Jobless claims fall to lowest in a month

Economists polled by Reuters had expected first-time applications to fall to 345,000 last week.

New jobless claims have trended higher since September,although economists say their level is still consistent with job growth. Other labour market indicators have pointed to strengthening job growth. The four-week moving average for new claims,which irons out week-to-week volatility,increased 4,250 to 348,000.