First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits saw an unexpected pullback in the week ended October 12th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday.

The report said initial jobless claims fell to 241,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week’s revised level of 260,000.

Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 260,000 from the 258,000 originally reported for the previous week.

Meanwhile, the Labor Department said the less volatile four-week moving average rose to 236,250, an increase of 4,750 from the previous week’s revised average of 231,500.

A separate report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed retail sales in the U.S. increased by slightly more than expected in the month of September.

The Commerce Department said retail sales rose by 0.4 percent in September after edging up by 0.1 percent in August. Economists had expected retail sales to rise by 0.3 percent.

Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales climbed by 0.5 percent in September after rising by 0.2 percent in August. Ex-auto sales were expected to inch up by 0.1 percent.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia also released a report on Thursday showing regional manufacturing activity has expanded overall in the month of October.

The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity jumped to 10.3 in October from 1.7 in September, with a positive reading indicating growth. Economists had expected the index to inch up to 3.0.

Looking ahead, the Philly Fed said expectations for growth over the next six months were more widespread this month, as the diffusion index for future general activity surged to 36.7 in October from 15.8 in September.

At 9:15 am ET, the Federal Reserve is scheduled to release its report on industrial production in the month of September. Economists expect industrial production to dip by 0.2 percent in September following a 0.8 percent increase in August.

The Commerce Department is due to release its report on business inventories in the month of August at 10 am ET. Business inventories are expected to rise by 0.3 percent in August after climbing by 0.4 percent in July.

Also at 10 am ET, the National Association of Home Builders is scheduled to release its report on homebuilder confidence in the month of October. The housing market index is expected to increase to 43 in October after rising to 41 in September.

The Energy Information Administration is due to release its report on oil inventories in the week ended October 11th at 11 am ET. Crude oil inventories are expected to rise by 2.3 million barrels after jumping by 5.8 million barrels in the previous week.

Also at 11 am ET, Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee is scheduled to delivery welcome remarks before the Fifth Annual Exploring Career Pathways in Economics and Related Fields Conference.

The Treasury Department is also due to announce the details of this month’s auction of twenty-year bonds at 11 am ET.