The number of US workers signing up for jobless benefits edged up a smaller-than-expected 4,000 in a holiday-shortened week, a government report showed today.
Initial claims for state unemployment insurance rose to a seasonally adjusted 319,000 for the week ended September 8th, from a downwardly revised 315,000 the prior week, the US Labor Department said.
The Labor Department said there was one less working day to file claims in a week that included the Labor Day holiday.
The four-week moving average for initial claims, which irons out week-to-week volatility, dipped to 324,000 from 325,000.
The number of unemployed still on the benefit rolls after drawing an initial week of aid fell by 6,000 to 2.585 million, for the week ended September 1st.