Data: Jobs market expanding, trade deficit narrowing

The Labor Department on Thursday reported new unemployment filings fell further than expected last week, by 20,000 claims to 268,000, the lowest figures since January, according to Reuters.
 
Although the labor market continues to grow, the report also states economic growth is flat. The stagnation in the economy is "probably temporary," according to the report, which attributes the stall to factors including bad weather and a strong dollar.
 
A report from the Commerce Department, meanwhile, puts the trade deficit at 16.9 percent, the lowest since October 2009. The narrowing of the deficit could increase first-quarter growth estimates once the deficit numbers are included, according to Reuters.

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