Economic Report: U.S. jobless claims fall sharply in latest week

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The numbers: Initial jobless benefit claims fell by 16,000 to 230,000 in the week ended April 22, the Labor Department said Thursday.  The decline almost wipes away the last two weekly gains.

Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had estimated new claims would rise 4,000 to 249,000. Last week claims rose a revised 6,0000 to 246,000, up from the initial reading of a 5,000 gain to 245,000.

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