(Reuters) -The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell to a six-week low last week, but the ranks of those continuing to collect benefits after their initial week held steady at the highest in nearly four years in the prior week.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 233,000 - the lowest since mid-May - for the week ended June 28, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 240,000 claims for the latest week.

The total ranks of those on jobless benefits rolls was unchanged in the week ended June 21 at 1.964 million, which is the highest level since the fall of 2021.