Jobless claim monthly average at Katrina levels

Unemployment claims fall more than expected in short week, as four-week average rises to highest level in 28 months.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of newly laid off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, but the larger-than-expected drop was seen as only a temporary improvement.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of jobless claims dropped by 9,000 last week to a total of 349,000.

While that was bigger than the decline that had been expected, analysts noted that claims offices in California, the largest state, were closed for one day last week for a state holiday, giving laid off workers one less day to file claims.

The four-week average for claims, which gives a better picture of labor market trends, rose to 360,500, which was the highest level since claims spiked in October 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.