US jobless claims rise more than expected

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week, suggesting continued labor market strength despite growing recession concerns fueled by President Donald Trump’s trade policies.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 222,000 for the week ended April 19, the US Labor Department said on Thursday.

Economists had expected 221,000 applications. The previous week’s figure was revised up by 1,000 to 216,000.

The four-week moving average of initial claims, considered a more reliable measure of labor market trends, fell by 750 to 220,250 from the prior week’s upwardly revised average of 221,000.