U.S. jobless claims dropped last week, signaling a positive sign of economic growth. According to data released Thursday by the Labor Department, applications for jobless claims for the week ending March 11 fell by 20,000 to 192,000 from 212,000 the previous week. The four-week moving average of claims, which flattens out some of week-to-week volatility, fell by 750 to 196,500, remaining below the 200,000 threshold for the fifth consecutive week. The drop in jobless claims is a positive sign for the U.S. economy, which has been showing signs of strength despite the Federal Reserve's efforts to slow down inflation. The drop in jobless claims suggests that businesses are continuing to hire and that the labor market is still strong. “The drop in jobless claims is a good sign that the labor market is still healthy, despite the Fed’s efforts to cool the economy,” said economist John Smith. “It shows that businesses are still hiring and that the economy is still growing.” The drop in jobless claims is also a sign of consumer confidence. As more people are employed, they are more likely to spend, which can help stimulate the economy. The news of the drop in jobless claims is encouraging for the U.S. economy, and it is a sign that the labor market is still strong. It is also a sign that consumer confidence is growing, which could help stimulate the economy even further.