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Weekly U.S. jobless claims at three-year low

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show that first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits dropped by 6,000 from the previous week to 336,000 in the week ended March 13. This number is below analysts' forecasts and is the lowest for any week since 316,000 reported on Jan. 13, 2001. This marks the third straight week in which initial claims dropped.

The four-week moving average of initial claims also declined for the third straight week, falling to 344,000 from 346,000 in the previous week, the lowest average claims' figure since the 336,500 reported for the week of Jan. 27, 2001.