Initial Jobless Claims Rise Last Week

Washington, DC, April 4, 2013 -- Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week to a 16-week high, according to the Labor Department.

The government said that filings in the week ending March 30 rose by 28,000 to a seasonally adjusted 385,000, compared to expectations for an decrease of 7,000 to 350,000.

Continuing jobless claims in the week ended March 23 fell to 3.063 million. 

The four-week moving average was 354,250, an increase of 11,250 from the previous week's revised average of 343,000.