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Jobless claims dip lower
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December 30, 1999: 11:57 a.m. ET
First-time filings fall 9,000 to 274,000 in the second-to-last week of the year
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - The number of Americans filing first-time claims for state unemployment benefits declined in the week ended Dec. 25, the government reported Thursday.
Initial jobless claims fell 9,000 to 274,000 during the second-to-last week of the year from a revised 283,000 in the prior week, the Labor Department said. An analysts’ consensus compiled by Briefing.com had forecast 282,000 first-time claims.
This is the 12th consecutive week of claims under 300,000, the longest string since July 22, 1972, to Dec. 15, 1973. New claims have been fluctuating since mid-January on either side of the key 300,000 mark, an indication of a vigorous job market.
The four-week moving average, which provides a more accurate picture of jobless trends, slipped to 279,750 from a revised 284,250. The week’s figures reported are the lowest since the 256,750 registered in the week ended Dec. 15, 1973.
The closely watched moving average also extended its run under 300,000 to 23 straight weeks -- the longest string since July 29, 1972 to Jan. 5, 1974.
In the week ended Dec. 18, the latest week for which state-by-state figures were available, the department said 10 states reported an increase in jobless claims exceeding 1,000, led by Virginia with 4,547 additional claims.
Virginia reported an increase in layoffs in the textile and tobacco industries.
In the same week, five states reported a decrease in claims exceeding 1,000, led by Georgia with 3,700 less claims. That state reported fewer layoffs in the textile industry. 
--From staff and wire reports
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