The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell last week, pointing to steady job growth in July, though some laid off workers are experiencing long spells of unemployment because of a moderation in hiring.

Applications for US unemployment benefits declined for a fifth straight week to the lowest level since mid-April, showing a resilient job market.

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 7,304 in the week ending July 12, up from 5,861 the week before, the Labor Department said.