Jobless claims hover near 15-year low, boost growth outlook

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits held near a 15-year low last week in a sign that the labor market was strengthening despite moderate economic growth. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000 for the week ended May 2, the Labor Department said on Thursday. The sustained strength suggests March's sharp step down in job growth was likely an aberration, and could keep t