US weekly jobless claims rise by just 2,000

(Sharecast News) - Initial claims for unemployment benefits in the United States rose by just 2,000 last week, according to data from the Department of Labor on Thursday. Jobless claims totalled 223,000 in the week ended 15 March, up from 221,000 the week before, which was revised higher by 1,000.

This was more or less in line with the consensus forecast of 224,000.

The four-week moving average edged higher to 227,000 from 226,250 previously.

Meanwhile, continuing claims - filings for unemployment benefits made for at least the second straight time - totalled 1.892m over the week to 8 March, up from 1.859m the week before and in line with analysts' predictions.