The data from
the Labor Department revealed on Thursday the number of applications for
unemployment benefits increased slightly last week, pointing sustained labor
market strength.
According to
the report, the initial claims for unemployment benefits rose by 3,000 to a
seasonally adjusted 213,000 for the week ended September 21.
Economists had
expected 212,000 new claims last week.
Claims for the
prior week were revised upwardly to 210,000 from the initial estimate of
208,000.
Meanwhile, the
four-week moving average of claims fell by 750 to 212,000 last week.