First-time filings for state unemployment benefits rose by 19,000 in the week ending April 7 to 342,000, the highest in eight weeks, the U.S. Department of Labor reported.
The four-week average of new jobless claims rose by 7,000 to 323,250, the highest in three weeks.
The number of people collecting unemployment checks rose by 38,000 to 2.5 million in the week ending March 31, the highest in four weeks. The four-week average of continuing claims fell by 13,500 to 2.5 million, the lowest in seven weeks.
The insured unemployment rate – the portion of all workers covered by unemployment insurance who are collecting benefits – stayed at 1.9 percent.
