Economics
U.S. Jobless Claims Hit Four-Week High in Fresh Labor Setback
- Increase was second straight after prior week revised higher
- Illinois and California posted largest jumps in latest week
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Applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance jumped to a four-week high, indicating the labor market is suffering fresh setbacks even as the coronavirus pandemic shows signs of ebbing.
Initial jobless claims in regular state programs totaled 861,000 in the week ended Feb. 13, up 13,000 from the prior week, Labor Department data showed Thursday. Last week’s report had originally shown a decrease but was revised up to show a 36,000 increase.