U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, remaining in the historically healthy range of the past couple years. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending July 5 fell by 5,

Applications for US unemployment benefits slid for a fourth week running, reaching their lowest level in two months. The numbers: Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 5,000 to 227,000 in the week ending 5 July.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending July 5 fell by 5,000 to 227,000, fewer than the 238,000 that analysts forecast. Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as representative of layoffs.