US applications for jobless benefits fall as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels

Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs remained at historically healthy levels despite elevated interest rates.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications fell by 12,000 to 216,000 for the week of Oct. 26. That's fewer than the 227,000 analysts forecast.

The four-week average of weekly claims, which quiets some of the week-to-week fluctuations, fell by 2,250 to 236,500.

Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy for U.S. layoffs.