The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits eased slightly last week, Haver Analytics estimated on Thursday, pointing to stable labor market conditions that could provide the Federal Reserve ​cover to keep interest rates unchanged next month. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dipped to a seasonally adjusted 227,543 for the week ended November 8 from 228,899 in the prior week, Haver Analytics calculated. The figure was in line with estimates from JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Nationwide. The longest government shutdown in history ended on Wednesday night, and the Labor ... (full story)