Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits proved more numerous than expected last week, a potential signal the job market was losing steam -- although some of the hike might be attributed to temporary holiday factors.
Information released Thursday by the U.S. Labor Department showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 20,000 to a seasonally-adjusted 287,000 for the week ended Dec. 26.
That's the highest number since July, although in recent months, the weekly readings for claims have held near a 42-year low.
Economists had forecast claims rising to 270,000 in the latest week.
