AlQa'dah 19, 1436, Sep 3, 2015, SPA -- The number of people filing initial applications for U.S. state unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, the government reported Thursday, but jobless claims remain near historically low levels consistent with an improving labor market. Jobless claims rose 12,000 to 282,000 last week, the Labor Department said. The four-week moving average of claims—a less volatile measure—rose 3,250 to 275,500. It was the 23rd consecutive week that the four-week average remained below 300,000, which is usually associated with a strengthening jobs market. The average has fallen more than 9 percent over the past 12 months. Coupled with steady job growth, the low number of jobless claims suggests the economy will continue an expansion that just began its seventh year, potentially enabling the Federal Reserve (Fed) to raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade. Economists believe Friday's closely watched employment report for August will show job creation of 220,000 positions, up slightly from 215,000 in July.
