US jobless claims fall, durable goods orders rebound in August

New applications for unemployment benefits in the US fell last week, while orders for long-lasting manufactured goods rose sharply in August, pointing to resilience in parts of the economy despite lingering uncertainties.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped by 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 218,000 in the week ending September 20, the US Labor Department said Thursday.

The figure came below the FXStreet consensus of 235,000.

The prior week's figure was revised up slightly to 232,000. The four-week moving average, considered a steadier gauge of labour market conditions, declined by 2,750 to 237,500.

The number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid edged down by 2,000 to 1.9 million in the week ending September 13, keeping the insured unemployment rate unchanged at 1.3%.

Separately, the Commerce Department said new orders for durable goods, meaning items meant to last three years or more, jumped 2.9% in August to USD312.1 billion, rebounding after two straight monthly declines.

Transportation equipment drove the increase, rising 7.9% to USD110.2 billion. Excluding the volatile transportation category, orders were up 0.4%. Excluding defence, they rose 1.9%.