Applications for US jobless benefits rose slightly last week
WASHINGTON — More Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, but jobless claims remained at levels consistent with a healthy labour market.
THE NUMBERS: The Labor Department said Thursday that claims rose by 1,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 260,000. Applications have come in below 300,000 for 80 straight weeks, longest streak since 1970. The less volatile four-week average slipped last week by 500 to 260,750.
The number of Americans collecting unemployment checks is 2.14 million, down nearly 5 per cent from a year ago.
THE TAKEAWAY: Applications for unemployment benefits are a proxy for measuring layoffs. The low level of claims suggests that most Americans enjoy job security.