Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Michigan dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.
New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 7,171 in the week ending February 7, down from 8,981 the week before, the Labor Department said.
U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 227,000 last week, down 5,000 claims from 232,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Virginia saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 68.8%. Missouri, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 43.5%.