Initial Jobless Applications Surge in Latest Week

Washington, DC, Dec. 12, 2013 -- Initial applications for unemployment benefits rose by 68,000 in the week that ended Dec. 7 to 368,000, according to the Labor Department.

It was the highest level in two months and above a consensus forecast of 335,000.

The four-week average of continuing claims declined 4,750 to 2.79 million, the lowest since January 2008.