Jobless claims edge lower as Fed looks to cool labor market

Initial filings for unemployment benefits declined slightly last week though they were consistent with a drift higher in layoffs that began in the spring, the

Jobless claims totaled 250,000 for the week ended Aug. 13, down 2,000 from the previous week and below the 260,000 Dow Jones estimate.

The four-week moving average for claims, which helps smooth out weekly volatility, also fell by 2,750 to…