The number of US workers seeking first-time jobless compensation rose unexpectedly by 3,000 last week, according to a government report released today.
The Labor Department said initial unemployment claims climbed to 324,000 in the week ended March 19th, from an upwardly revised 321,000 the prior week.
Although the rise defied economists' expectations for a fall to 315,000, it was still well below the 344,000 tally in the same period a year ago, a sign the job market is on the mend.
A Labor Department analyst said there were no special factors behind the increase in new claims.
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Although they have fluctuated, new claims have held below the 350,000 watermark - seen by economists as a sign of an improving job market - for 10 straight weeks.