Data on jobless claims are mixed
From Times Wire Services
New applications for U.S. jobless aid fell unexpectedly last week, dropping by 13,000, but a more reliable moving average of these claims rose to the highest level in six months, government data showed.
It was the third straight week in which initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell. The drop took claims to 317,000 from a revised 330,000 the prior week.
The four-week moving average of new claims edged up to 329,750 from 327,750.
