US initial jobless claims fell by 2,000 last week to a total of 231,000, the US Department of Labor reported today. However, the previous week’s level was revised upward by 4,000.

Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had forecast 230,000 applications for the latest week, MarketWatch reported.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims rose by 7,250 in the week ended June 25 to a level of 231,750. The previous week’s level was revised upward by 1,000.