Bloomberg (06/27/13) Lorraine Woellert
Unemployment claims declined by 9,000 to 346,000 last week from an upwardly revised 355,000 the week prior, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. A survey of economists by Bloomberg forecast 345,000 claims. The less-volatile four-week moving average fell to 345,750 last week from 348,500. The data suggest companies are slowing the pace of firings as the economy improves, and larger sales gains may encourage employers to boost hiring.