"[Unemployment claims] are in line with recent U.S. data showing a gradually improving economic backdrop"
- Omer Esiner, a market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits remained unchanged at 351,000 thousand in the week ended February 18 from the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
"The strength we've had in the last few months is continuing," said Guy Berger, an economist at RBS Securities Inc. in Stamford, Connecticut.
"Barring any surprises, February looks like another good month for payroll growth."
"It's broadly in line with recent U.S. data showing a gradually improving economic backdrop," said Omer Esiner, a market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange in Washington.
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