NEW YORK - April 21, 2011 - The number of people claiming unemployment benefit stayed above 400,000 for the second week in a row, according to the latest U.S. Department of Labor figures.

First-time claims for jobless benefits did fall by 13,000, to 403,000, in the week ending April 13, down from from an upwardly revised 416,000 the previous week. However, the reduction was smaller than economists had predicted and kept claims above the closely watched 400,000 level, following the prior week’s surprise rise to the highest level in nearly two months. The less volatile four-week moving average rose slightly, to 399,000.