The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, suggesting job growth picked up in September. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 12,

Weekly unemployment insurance claims fell to a two-month low ahead of Friday’s hotly anticipated jobs report, according to data released Thursday. Claims numbered 227,000 for the week ending Aug. 31,

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 12,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 219,000 for the week ended Sept. 14, the lowest level since the middle of May, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 230,000 claims for the latest week.