8:30a U.S. jobless claims drop 15,000 to 234,000 8:31a Four-week jobless claims average falls 10,250 to 246,750 8:31a Monthly jobless claims average lowest since Nov 1973 8:31a Housing permits at 1.21 million annual pace in December, Commerce says 8:31a Dollar holds decline after housing and jobless claims data 8:31a Stock futures hold modest losses after jobless claims, housing starts