Initial jobless claims in the U.S. decreased by 6,000 to 194,000 in the week ended October 17, according to data released by the Department of Labor on Thursday. This figure was below the 200,000 expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg, marking a three-month low and remaining in a historically low range not seen in nearly 60 years. Continuing jobless claims, however, rose by 25,000 to 1.73 million, reaching a six-week high. Bloomberg economist Eliza Winger stated that the initial claims data suggests limited layoffs during the reference week for the October nonfarm payrolls survey.