WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits last week fell to its lowest level in more than 41-1/2 years, suggesting the labor market maintained a solid pace of job growth in July./ Y2 S& @2 t4 b+ s6 J0 i! ?
* Q5 |5 S2 `3 v$ l' mThe sturdy jobs picture together with a strengthening housing market brings the Federal Reserve a step closer to raising interest rates this year.) r7 k7 Q& g$ S/ V* s( p: M0 p# [
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Initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined 26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 255,000 for the week ended July 18, the lowest level since November 1973, the Labor Department said on Thursday. $ _1 T0 Q: F$ t$ O9 H