The number of unemployed Americans climbed slightly last week as 4,000 more filed claims for state jobless benefits than a week earlier, the US Labor Department said today.
New claims rose to 348,000 in the week ended February 17th, well below expectations for a steeper rise to 355,000.
The closely watched four-week moving average, which irons out weekly fluctuations and gives a better indication of the jobs market, also rose to 350,750 in the week ended February 17th from 341,500 for the prior week.