Initial jobless claims rose fell by 7,000 to 213,000 in the week ended February 8, the Labor Department said Thursday.
Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had estimated new claims would fall by 4,000 to 215,000.
Claims were at 213,000 in the first week of last year.
A sturdy consumer is keeping the labor market strong, economists said.
Last week claims rose a revised 12,000 to 220,000. That compared with the initial estimate of a increase of 11,000 to 219,000.
