US initial jobless claims fell by 8,000 in the week ended May 18 to 215,000, the US Department of Labor reported today. The previous week’s level was revised upward by 1,000.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 220,000 claims in the latest week.

The Associated Press reported the number of people applying for unemployment fell as layoffs remained historically low despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to loosen the labor market.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims rose by 1,750 to a level of 219,750. The previous week’s level was revised upward by 250.