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WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits fell last week by the sharpest amount in nearly two months, indicating a healthy labor market despite the sluggish economy.
The Labor Department reported Thursday that applications for jobless benefits totaled 321,000 last week, 20,000 fewer than the previous week.
That was the biggest decline in claims in nine weeks and was more than double what economists expected. Analysts said part of the improvement reflected trouble adjusting the weekly claims data around Easter, which does not fall in the same week every year.
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