Investing.com - The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose last week, but remained in territory associated with a firming labor market.
Initial jobless claims rose to 278,000 from the previous week’s total of 272,000 the Labor Department said.
Economists had forecast claims rising to 271,000 last week.
Claims have now remained below the 300,000 mark, which is associated with strong labor market conditions, for 52 straight weeks.