The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly declined last week to a three-month low, signaling stability in the labor market.

Initial jobless claims dropped by 7,000 to 262,000 in the week ended Feb. 13, the lowest since Nov. 21, a report from the Labor Department showed on Thursday. Last week coincided with the period that the government surveys businesses and households to calculate payrolls and the jobless rate for February.

The labor market has exhibited persistent strength despite softer foreign sales, a sign domestic demand is helping the U.S. weather a global slowdown. More hiring and fewer firings that lead to enhanced feelings of job security have the potential to encourage an acceleration in consumer spending.

"Labor markets right now are consistent with the view that domestic activity remains resilient to external weakness," Michael Gapen, chief U.S. economist at Barclays Capital Inc. in New York, said before the report. "If that's the case, solid consumption growth in first quarter should support a rebound in activity."

The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for 275,000 claims. Estimates ranged from 255,000 to 285,000.

While there was nothing unusual in the data, claims were estimated for Pennsylvania, Virginia and Puerto Rico, according to the Labor Department.

An agency spokesman said officials in Pennsylvania had issues with their computer system that tabulates the number of applications, while Virginia was delayed in submitting its claims. On an unadjusted basis, Pennsylvania's filings fell an estimated 3,899 last week, the largest drop of any state or territory.

Four-Week Average

The four-week moving average of claims, a less volatile measure than the weekly figures, decreased to 273,250, the lowest since Dec. 19, from 281,250. The latest figure compares with an average of 285,250 during the comparable employment survey period for January. The economy added 151,000 workers in January, the fewest in four months.