Jobless claims at lowest since 1969

(CNN)– The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits is at its lowest level since 1969.

Thursday, July 23, the Labor Department said first-time jobless claims dropped to an estimated 187,000 last week.

Economists say the figures suggest layoffs remain low even as hiring has slowed.

Continuing claims which track people receiving benefits for more than a week held roughly steady at just under 1.8 million.