Initial jobless claims increase unexpectedly

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Initial jobless claims increase unexpectedly
New claims for jobless benefits increase unexpectedly, while total benefit rolls drop

Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer, On Thursday April 8, 2010, 9:09 am EDT


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits rose last week, a sign that jobs remain scarce even as the economy recovers.

The Labor Department said Thursday that first-time claims increased by 18,000 in the week ending April 3, to a seasonally adjusted 460,000. That's worse than economists' estimates of a drop to 435,000, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.

The report covers the week that includes the Easter holiday, and a Labor Department analyst said seasonal adjustment for Easter can be difficult since the holiday occurs in different weeks each year.

California also closed its state offices for a holiday March 31, the analyst said, which likely held down the claims figures. On an unadjusted basis, claims rose by 6,500 to nearly 415,000. ..............(more)

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