Despite the month-long partial government shutdown, with those furloughed able to apply for unemployment, the fewest numbers of Americans filed applications for unemployment benefits in more than 49 years, reflecting the continued strength of the labor market.
Jobless claims fell 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 199,000 for the week ended Jan. 19, the lowest level for initial claims since Nov. 15, 1969, when it was 197,000, the Labor Department said.
So far, the economy is withstanding the extended government shutdown and billions of tariffs placed on U.S. allies and China.
The four-week moving average of claims, considered a better measure of labor market, smoothed out some volatile numbers, falling 5,500 to 215,000.
The federal government has furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers and they will be included in the January jobs numbers.
January's monthly jobs report will be released on Feb. 1.