The number of US workers filing for unemployment
benefits for the first time inched down in the week ending
March 9, to a seasonally adjusted 377,000 from 380,000 the
previous week, according to the DoL.
However, the four-week moving average, a more reliable
measure of the unemployment situation because it smoothes
out weekly fluctuation, edged up slightly to 374,750 from
373,750 a week earlier.
These levels were more or less in line with the expectations of economists polled by Reuters.