Jobless claims slip from 6-year high

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The number of out-of-work Americans who signed up for jobless benefits fell slightly last week from a six-year high.

The Department of Labor reported Thursday that initial filings for state jobless benefits decreased by a seasonally adjusted 10,000 to 450,000 in the week ended August 9.

However, the decrease in claims was far short of expectations. A consensus of economists surveyed by Briefing.com was for claims to fall to 436,000.

–By CNNMoney.com contributing writer Lara Moscrip