U.S. jobless claims at 214,000 for week ending Dec. 20, below 224,000 forecast

Initial U.S. jobless claims came in at 214,000 for the week ending Dec. 20, down 10,000 from the prior period and below a 224,000 forecast, according to the Labor Department. Continuing claims rose to 1.92 million, while the Conference Board said December consumer confidence fell to 89.1 from 92.9, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline.