Payrolls in U.S. Probably Expanded by 205,000 Last Month

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Claims for U.S. unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in four years, adding to recent reports showing signs of health in the economy.

Jobless claims fell 6,000 to 357,000 in the week ended March 31, the fewest since April 2008, the Labor Department reported today in Washington. The median forecast of 43 economists in a Bloomberg News survey estimated a decrease to 355,000. The number of people on unemployment benefit rolls also dropped, while those getting extended payments increased.