(Kitco News) - Volatility continues to dominate the U.S. labor market as fewer workers than expected applied for first-time unemployment benefits last week.
Thursday, the U.S. Labor Department said that weekly jobless claims fell by 11,000 to 200,000, down from the previous week's revised estimate of 211,000 claims.
The latest labor market data beat expectations. According to consensus forecasts, economists were expecting to see jobless claims hold steady around 210,000.
The gold market is not seeing much reaction to the latest labor market data. August gold futures last traded at $1,855.6, up 0.37% on the day.
The four-week moving average for new claims – often viewed as a more reliable measure of the labor market since it flattens week-to-week volatility – fell to 206,500, down by 500 claims from the previous week's revised average.
While initial claims remains volatile, some economists are paying closer attention to continuing claims, which has seen a steady decline in recent weeks.
Continuing jobless claims, which represent the number of people already receiving benefits, were at 1.309 million during the week ending May 21, falling by 34,000 from the previous week's revised level.
“This is the lowest level for insured unemployment since December 27, 1969 when it was 1,304,000,” the report said.
