New unemployment claims drop, exports rise

Washington, D.C. A late Thursday report from the Labor Department said that the number of people who filed new claims for unemployment benefits fell in the latest week. New unemployment applications for last week were 451,000, 10% below mid-August’s 504,000 applications.

The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the U.S. trade deficit dropped sharply in July as exports rose to an almost two-year high.

The data, say economists, are positive indicators that the economy is rebounding.