Jobless Claims, Chicago Business Index Decline
The number of Americans filing initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell last week, signaling that the U.S. job market might be strengthening heading into the new year.
Jobless benefit claims dropped 5,000 to 326,000 in the week that ended Saturday, the Labor Department said.
An index of Chicago-area business fell for a second month, a sign of slower growth in manufacturing that prompted investors to push up U.S. Treasury note prices.
The National Assn. of Purchasing Management-Chicago said its business barometer declined to 61.2 this month from 65.2 in November. Readings higher than 50 indicate growth.
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