Investing.com – The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose more-than-expected, 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 5 rose to a seasonally adjusted 397K, after falling to 371K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 368K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to rise to 382K.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended February 26 fell less-than-expected, dropping to 3.771 million, compared to 3.791 million in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 3.774 million.
Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to fall to 3.750 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was up against the euro, with EUR/USD slumping 0.74% to hit 1.3805.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a loss of 0.39%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a drop of 0.49% and Nasdaq 100 futures shed 0.55%.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending March 5 rose to a seasonally adjusted 397K, after falling to 371K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 368K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to rise to 382K.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended February 26 fell less-than-expected, dropping to 3.771 million, compared to 3.791 million in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 3.774 million.
Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to fall to 3.750 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was up against the euro, with EUR/USD slumping 0.74% to hit 1.3805.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a loss of 0.39%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a drop of 0.49% and Nasdaq 100 futures shed 0.55%.