US weekly jobless claims decline more than expected

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, signaling that layoffs remain low even as job seekers face fewer opportunities.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 207,000 for the week ending January 25, according to the Labor Department. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 220,000 claims.

While the labor market rem