US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 215,000 in the week ended June 27 from an upwardly revised 216,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for an increase to 218,000 in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.
The four-week moving average declined by 2,500 to 222,000 after increasing by 1,000 to a level of 224,500 in the previous week.
Insured jobless claims rose by 2,000 to 1,814,000 in the week ended June 20.
The weekly initial jobless claims data released by the US Labor Department measures filings for unemployment insurance benefits. Initial filings are reported through the previous Saturday, while those already on benefits are measured with a one-week lag.
A decrease in claims suggests a stronger labor market, a positive for the US economy and stocks, but a negative for bonds, as it suggests wage growth that could lead to inflation.