First-time claims for unemployment insurance fell to 276,000 at the end of May, the Labor Department reported Thursday morning, providing one cause for reassurance about the strength of the U.S. economy.
Initial claims for unemployment benefits were down from a revised 284,000 the week before.
The four-week moving average of initial claims ticked up by 2,750 from 15-year lows in recent weeks to a still-low 274,750.
Falling jobless claims are viewed as a sign of slowing layoffs and labor market strength.
The recent encouraging news from jobless claims has served to stabilize expectations for the May jobs report, even amid disappointing data regarding other aspects of the economy.
The U.S. gained 223,000 payroll jobs in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Investors expect a similar number for the May report, due out Friday morning.
Altogether, 2.1 million people received unemployment benefits of all durations through mid-May, down from 2.5 million a year earlier. Benefits are available for a maximum of 26 weeks.
