Jobless claims fall 6,000 to 361,000

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch)
First-time claims for state unemployment benefits fell unexpectedly in the latest week, the Labor Department reported Thursday
The number of initial claims in the week ending Aug. 4 fell 6,000 to 361,000
The consensus forecast of Wall Street economists was for claims to rise 5,000 to 370,000
The four-week average rose 2,250 to 368,250
Claims in the previous week were revised to an increase of 10,000 to 367,000 compared with the initial estimate of a gain of 8,000 to 365,000