US Jobless Claims Stay Low in Sign of Steadying Labor Market (4)

Applications for US unemployment benefits held steady last week, adding to evidence that the labor market is stabilizing.

Initial claims were unchanged at 213,000 in the week ended Feb. 28, according to Labor Department data released Thursday. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for 215,000.

Claims are settling near some of the lowest levels seen in the last year after holidays and winter weather distorted the data in recent months. That sends a stronger signal that the labor market continues to operate in a low-firing environment.

Data earlier Thursday from outplacement firm ...