First-time claims for unemployment benefits slipped last week by 6,000 to 462,000 for the week ending March 6. The total nearly matched analysts' estimates and was the second straight drop.

Here the states with the largest increases and decreases in claims. The state data is one week behind the initial claims data and is for the week ending Feb. 27.

BIGGEST INCREASES:

California: 16,112

New York: 12,263

Florida: 2,516

Texas: 1,440

Nevada: 947

LARGEST DROPS:

Pennsylvania: -4,772

Massachusetts: -4,504

New Jersey: -3,972

Kentucky: -3,633

Missouri: -1,661