Jobless claims fell last week

(CNN)– Weekly jobless claims in the U.S. fell last week.

The federal government reports first-time applications for unemployment benefits fell last week from 231 thousand to 219 thousand.

Last week’s number is less than expected. And the number of continuing claims was $1.8 million.

It’s down from the previous week and lower than expected.

The labor market has been slowing in recent months, prompting the Federal Reserve to introduce its first interest rate cut in 4 years on Wednesday.