U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, remaining in the historically healthy range of the past couple years.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending July 5 fell by 5,000 to 227,000, fewer than the 238,000 that analysts forecast. Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as representative of layoffs. The four-week average of claims, which evens out some of the weekly volatility, fell by 5,750 to 235,500.

Unemployment benefit claims in the US recently dipped, signaling continued strength in the labor market despite economic uncertainties. Initial applic