The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, but will probably do little to change views that the labour market was strengthening.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 21,000 to a seasonally-adjusted 311,000 for the week ended Aug. 9, the U.S. Labor Department said on Thursday.
The prior week's claims were revised to show 1,000 more applications received than previously reported.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to only 295,000 last week.
Claims are settling down after some volatility in July related to the annual automobile plant shutdowns for retooling. A department analyst said there were no special factors influencing the state level data.
The four-week average of claims, considered a better measure of labour market trends as it irons out week-to-week volatility, rose 2,000 to 295,750, still pointing to firming job market conditions.
