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Story summary
- The Labor Department said weekly unemployment benefit applications fell to 187,000 for the week ending July 18, the fewest since September 6, 1969.
- The four-week moving average of jobless claims dropped by 7,250 to 207,500.
- U.S. crude oil rose nearly 5% early Thursday to over $91 a barrel, its highest in six weeks.
- Analysts warned that a prolonged Iran war and high energy costs could force firms to cut head counts.
