(RTTNews) - The Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly edged slightly lower in the week ended December 21st. The report said initial jobless claims slipped to 219,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 220,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 224,000. Meanwhile, the Labor Department said the less volatile four-week moving average crept up to 226,500, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 225,500. Continuing claims, a reading on the number of people receiving ongoing unemployment assistance, also climbed by 46,000 to 1.
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