Data from the Labor Department released Thursday showed a number of positive trends in workforce stability and economic health. Jobless claims dropped to their lowest level since 1973, the number of individuals receiving jobless benefits reached a 16 year low, and first-time jobless claims have held below 300,000 for the longest stretch since 1973. Economists say these numbers indicate robust labor conditions.
See "Jobless claims unexpectedly drop to lowest level since 1973", Victoria Stilwell, The New York Times, April 22, 2016