Jobless claims lower than expected, at half-century low

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The rate of layoffs in the U.S. fell slightly in early September and clung to a 49-year low, underscoring the strength of a ebullient economy and the best labor market at least since the turn of the century.

Initial jobless claims slipped by 1,000 to 204,000 in the seven days ended Sept. 8. Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast a 210,000 reading.

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