New jobless claims fall to lowest since 2000

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in 14 years last week, in the latest sign of a strengthening labor market that could help blunt worries about the impact of weak global growth.

The New York Times reports initial jobless claims fell 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 246,000, the lowest since April 2000. The Times cited data from the Labor Department.

A separate report from the Federal Reserve showed that manufacturing output rose in September, led by gains for aerospace products, furniture, clothing and plastics.

Read more from the New York Times.