Jobless claims dip, still point to weaker demand for workers

WASHINGTON (AP) -- New claims for state unemployment insurance dipped last week, but still hovered at a level suggesting that employers' demand for workers has eased.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that initial applications for jobless benefits edged down by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 379,000 for the workweek ending March 17.

"Around their current range they (new claims) are consistent with positive, but sluggish job growth," said Merrill Lynch economist Karen Dexter.