The U.S. Labor Department said initial U.S. jobless claims rose by 11,000 last week to 321,000, the highest level since March 3. However, the four-week average of new claims fell by 1,500 to 315,750, the lowest since Feb. 3.
The four-week average of continuing claims fell by 7,500 to 2.52 million, the lowest in six weeks.
