WASHINGTON - The number of individuals applying for US unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level since February, according to the data released Thursday by the US Labor Department.

The job market continues to be resilient, despite record high interest rates, at a time when there is no end in sight to the most aggressive Federal Reserve rate hike cycle in decades.

Initial claims for state-level benefits dropped to 216,000 from 229,000 the previous week, during the week that concluded on Sept 2.

This occurred amid the worst inflation in decades.