Unemployment insurance applications in the U.S. decreased during the week of March 8.

Foreks - The U.S. Department of Labor reported that initial jobless claims fell by 2,000 to 220,000 in the week ending March 8. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had predicted an increase of 4,000, bringing new jobless claims to 225,000. Last week's jobless claims were revised from 221,000 to 222,000.

The four-week moving average rose by 1,500 to 226,000 compared to the previous week's revised average. The prior week’s average was adjusted from 224,250 to 224,500, reflecting a 250 increase. The seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.2% for the week ending March 1. Additionally, the number of seasonally adjusted insured unemployed decreased by 27,000 to 1,870,000 from the previous week’s level of 1,897,000, while the four-week moving average increased by 6,250 to 1,872,250.