The number of workers filing first-time jobless benefits claims was unchanged last week at 505-thousand.

The Labor Department says total unemployment claims for the week ending November 7th, including continuing claims, dropped by 39-thousand to just over five-point-six-million filings.

That's the lowest total filings have been since March, and experts say the figures indicate the labor market is stabilizing.

Analysts say new jobless claims need to reach the 400-thousand mark to indicate payrolls growth.

The biggest increases in initial jobless claims during the week ending November 7th were in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The largest decreases in such claims were in Florida.

For the week ending October 31st, Oregon had the highest insured jobless rate at five-point-five percent.