WASHINGTON – The number of workers seeking initial jobless aid rose 14,000 last week, the government said on Thursday, but remained at levels still indicative of a stable labor market.
First-time claims for state unemployment benefits rose to 315,000 in the week ended July 29 from an upwardly revised 301,000 for the prior week, the Labor Department said.
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Wall Street analysts expected claims to move up to 308,000 from the original reading of 298,000 reported for the prior week.
A Labor Department analyst said there were no special factors behind the rise.
The four-week moving average of new claims, which flattens weekly volatility to provide a better sense of underlying job-market trends, ticked up to 313,750 in the week ended July 29 from 313,500 the previous week.
The number of people who remained on the jobless rolls after drawing an initial week of aid also rose, climbing 11,000 to 2.48 million in the week ended July 22, the latest period for which figures were available.
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