NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — First-time claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, but the broader trend remains choppy, making it difficult to get a clear reading on the job market in October.

About 369,000 people filed for first-time unemployment benefits in the week ended October 20, down 23,000 from the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday.

The initial claims number has bounced around for the last five weeks, pointing to little improvement in the job market since September.  Read more