The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims declined by 14,000 to 328,000 for the week ending April 3, the lowest level since Jan. 13, 2001. These figures have given rise to hopes that recent improvements seen in the labor market might be sustained. Some economists believe that these developments will cause the Feds to raise interest rates.
See "Jobless Claims Tumble to Three-Year Lows", The New York Times, April 7, 2004