WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week was unchanged at 254,000, offering more proof that the U.S. labor market remains sound despite a slower pace of hiring in 2016.

Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast initial jobless claims to total a seasonally adjusted 265,000 in the week stretching from July 3 to July 9. Claims have been below the key 300,000 threshold for 71 weeks, the longest stretch since 1973.