Investing.com - The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose less than expected, according to official data released on Thursday.
The number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending August 26 increased by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 236,000 the Labor Department said.
Analysts had expected claims to rise to 237,000 last week.
Figures for the prior week were revised to show 1,000 more applications received than previously reported.
The four-week moving average fell by 1,300 to 236,750 last week. The monthly average is seen as a more accurate gauge of labor trends because it reduces volatility in the week-to-week data.
Continuing jobless claims, which measures the number of people still receiving benefits after an initial week of aid, came in at 1.94 million.