Economics
Jobless Claims in U.S. Increase to Highest Level Since July
- Jump in applications may be due to typical holiday volatility
- Last time claims were this high was Indepence Day holiday
An employee welds metalwork for bicycles.
Photographer: Nelson Ching/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits rose more than projected during the Christmas week, reaching the highest level in almost six months, perhaps reflecting typical swings during holidays.
Jobless claims jumped by 20,000 to 287,000 in the week ended Dec. 26, a report from the Labor Department showed on Thursday in Washington. The median forecast of 30 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for 270,000. Applications haven’t been this high since the week ended July 4, the American Independence Day holiday.