Hijjah 12, 1431 / Nov. 18, 2010, SPA -- New U.S. claims for jobless benefits rose slightly last week but the average reached a two-year low, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 2,000 to 439,000, the Labor Department said. Economists expected claims to rise to 440,000 from 435,000. The four-week average of new jobless claims dropped 4,000 to 443,000, the lowest level since September 2008. Although initial jobless claims rose last week, the labor market distress is showing signs of easing, with data showing employers adding jobs last month for the first time since May. The number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid fell 48,000 to 4.30 million in the week ending on November 6, the lowest level since November 2008. The number of people on emergency unemployment benefits rose 66,767 to 3.97 million in the week ending on October 30, with a total of 8.85 million people claimed unemployment benefits during the period. Jobless benefits for 800,000 people will expire on November 30 unless Congress renews them. In total, two million unemployed people would lose benefits by the end of December.
