Jobless-Benefit Filings Near Three-Year Low

The number of Americans filing first-time applications for unemployment benefits declined to 341,000 last week, close to the lowest in almost three years.

The drop of 1,000 in initial jobless claims followed a revised 342,000 filings a week earlier, the Labor Department said.

The less volatile four-week moving average of claims fell last week by 3,250 to 344,500, the lowest since 336,500 in the week ended Jan. 27, 2001.