The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits dipped to the lowest in a month last week.

Unemployment insurance claims dropped to their lowest level in a month, showing signs of health in the U.S. labor market amid a broader slowdown in employment conditions. Initial claims fell by 1,000 to 219,

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Ohio rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 9,300 in the week ending December 21, up from 8,640 the week before, the Labor Department said.