-- US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 189,000 in the week ended April 25 from an upwardly revised 215,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for an increase to 212,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.
The four-week moving average declined by 3,500 to 207,500 after increasing by 1,000 to a level of 211,000 in the previous week.
Insured jobless claims declined by 23,000 to 1,785,000 in the employment survey week ended April 18. Insured claims were at a level of 1,816,000 in the employment survey week ended March 14.
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.