US jobless claims extend falling streak to 81 weeks

Jobless claims Stateside fell for an 81st consecutive week over the seven days ending on 17 September, the longest such streak since 1970.

Initial weekly unemployment claims declined by 8,000 to reach 252,000, according to the Department of Labor.

Economists at Barclays had penciled a 5,000 person increase to 265,000.

The four-week moving average slipped by 2,250 to stand at 258,500.

Secondary unemployment claims, those which are not filed for the first time and referencing the week ending on 10 September decreased by 36,000 to reach 2.113m.