Jobless claims fall by 15,000 last week

(Feb. 9, 2012) -- The four-week moving average of initial claims, which better controls for weekly volatility, declined for a fourth consecutive week, falling to 366,250 from 377,250 the previous week. Continuing claims rose 64,000 in the week ending Jan. 28, 2012, thereby partially retracing the previous week’s 116,000 decline.