Jobless claims near four-year low The US labour market continued to strengthen as first-time claims for jobless benefits fell unexpectedly to a near four-year low. The number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance for the first time declined 13,000 to 348,000 in the week ending February 11, the labour department said, the lowest since March 2008 and less than the consensus forecasts of 365,000. The prior week's figure was revised up to 361,000 from the previously reported 358,000. The four-week moving average of new claims, which smoothes out weekly volatility and seen as a better measure of labour market trends, declined to 365,250, the lowest since April 2008. The decline last week pushed initial claims below the 350,000 mark that economists usually associate with sustained strength in the labour market. New jobless claims have declined for three consecutive weeks. Meanwhile, markets were edgy on Thursday as traders reacted to a lack of resolution on the Greek bail-out as political tensions continue to escalate.