The number of newly laid-off workers in the U.S. requesting unemployment benefits slipped last week, the latest sign the employment picture is slowly brightening.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell slightly less than expected last week, hinting at a slow labor market recovery.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell only slightly last week, indicating that rapid job growth would probably continue to elude the economy for a while.

The Labor Department said first-time weekly jobless claims eased by 6,000 last week versus the week before, to 462,000.

The Labor Department reported the number of people filing for for unemployment benefits fell by 6,000 in the latest week.

While the Labor Department released a report Thursday morning showing a modest decrease in first-time claims for unemployment benefits in the week ended March 6th, the report also showed an increase in continuing claims. The report showed that initial jobless claims edged down to 462,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 468,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to slip to

The Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell by 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 462,000. That's close to Wall Street analysts' estimates of 460,000 and the second straight drop.

A new report on weekly filings for first-time jobless claims was the latest indication of a slow recovery in the labor market.

The number of Americans filing for first-time claims for unemployment insurance fell last week, the Labor Department said Thursday.