The data from the Labor Department revealed on Thursday the number of applications for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week.

According to the report, the initial claims for unemployment benefits increased 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 227,000 for the week ended June 22.

Economists had expected 220,000 new claims last week.

Claims for the prior week were revised upwardly to 217,000 from the initial estimate of 216,000.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims increased to 221,250 from 219,000 the previous week..