Initial Jobless Claims Rise Last Week

Washington, DC, Nov. 26, 2014 -- Initial claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week to the highest level since September, according to the Labor Department.

Initial claims increased 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 313,000 for the week ended Nov. 22. It was the first time since early September that claims were more than 300,000.

The four-week moving average of claims remained below 300,000 for an 11th straight week.

Economists had forecast claims falling to 288,000 last week.