Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 209,000 for the week ended January 24, the Labor Department said on Thursday (Jan 29). The prior week’s level of claims was revised up by 10,000 to 210,000. High-profile layoffs last year, including by the two companies, did not result in a notable surge in jobless claims. Continuing claims covered the period during which the government surveyed households for January’s unemployment rate. The unemployment rate likely remained elevated this month.