The number of U.S. workers filing first-time applications for unemployment benefits slipped last week to a six-week low. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims dropped for a third consecutive week, falling by 3,000 to 331,000 in the week ended August 14.

The decline marked the lowest level since the week of July 3. The four-week average declined for the second week in a row, falling 2,500 to 337,250.

Economists had called for an increase of 2,000 claims.

The Labor Department also revised its previous estimate of initial claims for the week of Aug. 7, raising it by 1,000 to 334,000. Such revisions are considered routine.