Fewer Americans than forecast filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, easing concern the labor market may weaken in the second half.

Jobless claims decreased by 12,000 to 365,000 in the week ended Sept. 1, the fewest in a month, the Labor Department reported today in Washington. The median estimate of 48 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a drop to 370,000.

Employers are limiting firings as demand warrants holding on to current workers, helping support consumer spending, the biggest part of the economy. At the same time, weak hiring and unemployment exceeding 8 percent pose a “grave concern,” Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said last week as he made a case for further monetary easing.

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