$Dow Jones Industrial Average(.DJI.US)$$S&P 500 index(.SPX.US)$ US job...

$Dow Jones Industrial Average(.DJI.US)$ $S&P 500 index(.SPX.US)$ US jobless claims unexpectedly fell last week, suggesting demand for Labour remains strong despite the new outbreak.

New claims for unemployment benefits totaled 198,000 in the week ended December 25, down 8,000 from the previous cycle's revised level, Labor Department data showed On Thursday. The median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg had been for a gain of 206,000.

Continuing claims fell to 1.72 million in the week ended December 18, the lowest since March last year.

Labor shortages have made businesses struggling to meet strong demand for goods and services reluctant to lay off workers. The struggle to retain talent comes as new claims for unemployment benefits approach their lowest level since 1969.