The number of people filing initial applications for U.S. state unemployment benefits rose slightly last week but remained at a historically low level that points to a strengthening labor market, the government reported Thursday. The Labor Department said jobless claims increased 2,000 to 279,000 last week. It was the 14th consecutive week that claims were below 300,000, a level usually associated with a healthy labor market. The four-week moving average of jobless claims - a better measure of labor-market trends because it smoothes weekly volatility - increased 3,750 to 278,750. Despite the increases, both figures remain at very low levels. The four-week average fell to a 15-year low last month. Jobless claims are a measure of layoffs, so the figures suggest that few workers are losing their jobs. Moreover, businesses also are accelerating hiring. Employers added 280,000 jobs last month, the government reported last week, in a strong performance that suggests businesses are increasing staff on expectations of strong consumer demand.
