The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, but stayed at levels consistent with a further loss of labor market momentum in June. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 5,

Applications for US unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week to the highest since October, adding to signs that the job market is cooling.Initial claims increased by 8,000 to 247,000 in the week ended May 31,

Eight thousand more Americans filed initial unemployment claims for the week ending May 31, according to a Thursday Department of Labor report. The total number of seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims for the week were 247,

The report from the Labor Department showed widespread layoffs the week before, which had boosted claims to an eight-month high.