Applications for unemployment fall in last week - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

WASHINGTON (WKOW) -- New unemployment numbers show the nation's job market may be improving.

The U.S. Labor Department says the number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell by 12,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 365,000. The four week average, a less volatile measure, ticked up to 371,250.

Experts say weekly applications are a measure of the pace of layoffs. When they are consistently below the 375,000 mark, it suggests hiring is strong enough to lower the unemployment rate.

The August jobs report will be released Friday and experts say this news won't likely affect it much. The information for that report was compiled three weeks ago. But it could signal better hiring in September, analysts say.

Economists forecast that employers added 135,000 jobs last month, below July's gain of 163,000. The unemployment rate is expected to remain 8.3 percent.