The big picture is obviously still a problem but good news is good news.
New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, government data showed on Thursday, pointing to some improvement in the labor market.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 452,000, the Labor Department said.
Despite the drop, which also saw the unwinding of the prior week's administrative related-jump, claims remain perched above levels usually associated with a strong job market recovery, making it all but certain the Federal Reserve will ease monetary policy further next month.
