Investing.com - The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose more than expected, according to official data released on Thursday.
The number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits increased by 11,000 to 222,000 in the previous week, the Labor Department said.
Analysts had expected claims to rise to 215,000 last week.
Figures for the prior week went unrevised at 211,000.
The four-week moving average fell by 2,750 to 213,250 last week. The monthly average is seen as a more accurate gauge of labor trends because it reduces volatility in the week-to-week data.
Continuing jobless claims, which measures the number of people still receiving benefits after an initial week of aid, came in at 1,707,000 in the previous week. Continuing claims are reported with a one week lag.
That compared to a consensus forecast of 1,780,000.
The previous week’s reading was revised up to 1,794,000 from an initial reading of 1,790,000.