Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts 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 6,272 in the week ending August 3, down from 6,729 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 233,000 last week, down 17,000 claims from 250,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Utah saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 44.0%. Virgin Islands, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 90.4%.

From heraldnews.com.