Official figures show that initial claims for US unemployment benefits fell last week but still remained at high levels amid the deepening recession.
The Labor Department reported 639,000 new jobless claims were filed in the week ending February 28. The number was below analysts' consensus forecast of 650,000 and marked a decline from the previous week's 670,000.
The data showed initial claims for jobless benefits remained above 600,000 for the fifth consecutive week.
A separate report showed a disappointing 0.4% drop in US productivity in the fourth quarter.
