AlQa'dah 16, 1435, Sep 11, 2014, SPA -- The number of people filing new applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly last week, the government reported Thursday, but the increase does not signal a shift in labor-market conditions because jobless claims remain near their pre-recession levels. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims increased 11,000 to 315,000 last week, the highest level since late June. Economists had expected a modest decline in claims. The four-week moving average of jobless claims—considered a better labor-market gauge because it smoothes weekly fluctuations—rose 750 to 304,000, not far from pre-recession levels and consistent with strengthening job-market conditions. According to the report, the number of people still receiving unemployment benefits rose 9,000 to 2.49 million last week, also not far from pre-recession levels. U.S. job creation slowed sharply in August, with employers adding only 142,000 jobs, ending six consecutive months of job increases above 200,000. Economists cautioned, however, that payroll gains typically are smaller in August because of seasonal fluctuations in hiring.
