Investing.com - The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. rose more-than-expected last week official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending March 23 rose by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 357,000, compared to expectations for an increase to 340,000.
Jobless claims for the preceding week were revised up to 341,000 from a previously reported gain of 336,000.
The four-week moving average was 343,000 an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 340,750.
The monthly average is seen as a more accurate gauge of labor trends because it reduces volatility in the week-to-week data.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained lower against the euro, with EUR/USD rising 0.19% to trade at 1.2801.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures remained mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a decline of 0.23% at the open, S&P 500 futures indicated a rise of 0.06%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a 0.20% gain.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending March 23 rose by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 357,000, compared to expectations for an increase to 340,000.
Jobless claims for the preceding week were revised up to 341,000 from a previously reported gain of 336,000.
The four-week moving average was 343,000 an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 340,750.
The monthly average is seen as a more accurate gauge of labor trends because it reduces volatility in the week-to-week data.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained lower against the euro, with EUR/USD rising 0.19% to trade at 1.2801.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures remained mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a decline of 0.23% at the open, S&P 500 futures indicated a rise of 0.06%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a 0.20% gain.