Unemployment claims in Arkansas declined last week

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Arkansas dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 1,107 in the week ending March 22, down from 1,188 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 224,000 last week, down 1,000 claims from 225,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Kentucky saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 59.6%. Virgin Islands, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 75%.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Unemployment claims in Arkansas declined last week