Initial Jobless Claims Rise Last Week

Washington, DC, Jan. 2, 2015 -- Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week.

According to the Labor Department, initial claims increased by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 298,000 for the week ended Dec. 27.

Economists were expecting a rise to 290,000, but claims tend to be volatile during the holiday season.

The four-week moving average rose 250 to 290,750 last week.