The number of people filing new applications for U.S. unemployment benefits fell slightly last week, suggesting that job gains should remain solid, while the total number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level in 14 years. The Labor Department said jobless claims fell a smaller-than-expected 2,000 last week to 291,000. The four-week moving average of claims, a better measure of labor-market trends because it smoothes weekly volatility, increased 1,750 to 287,500, still at a level consistent with solid employment growth. Employers are laying off fewer workers and have accelerated hiring this year. The weekly jobless claims are a gauge of layoffs, and have fallen 16 percent in the past 12 months. Claims are close to the lowest levels in 14 years, signaling that companies are more confident in the economy and willing to retain their workforces. The total number of people receiving unemployment aid also has declined steadily, and now stands at 2.33 million, the lowest since December 2000. Still, there are 9 million unemployed people. Nearly one-third of them have been out of work for six months or longer and are not eligible for unemployment benefits.
