Initial Jobless Claims Rise Less Than Expected

Washington, DC, Nov. 18, 2010 -- Initial jobless claims rose by 2,000 last week to 439,000, the U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday.

Economists had expected claims to rise to 445,000 in the week ended Nov. 13.

Claims in 2010 have ranged from a high of 504,000 to a low of 427,000.

The four-week average of initial claims dropped 4,000 to 443,000, the lowest level since September 2008.