The number of initial claims from the week ended June 5 was increased to 460,000 from the previously reported number of 456,000.

The Associated Press reported economists have for several weeks been expecting claims to fall below 450,000 and will feel more optimistic about the recovery once claims fall below 425,000.

The four-week moving average of claims for the week ended June 12 fell by 500, or 0.1%, to 463,500 from the previous week's revised average of 464,000.

Looking back at the week ended June 5, California posted the largest decrease in initial claims, down 10,386, the Department of Labor reported today. The state cited a shorter workweek and fewer layoffs in the construction and service industries. Wisconsin posted an increase in initial claims of 2,683, and cited layoffs in the construction, trade, service, public administration and manufacturing industries.