Jobless Claims Rose 28,000 Last Week

Washington, October 18, 2007—Jobless claims rose by 28,000, to 337,000 in the week ended October 13, according to a report from the Labor Department. It the highest level reached for first-time claims in seven weeks.

The four-week moving average increased to 316,500 from 310,500.

Economists had forecast initial claims to rise to 312,000 after a 308,000 level reported the prior week

The number of people continuing to collect state unemployment benefits rose to 2.534 million in the week that ended Oct. 6, from 2.515 million the prior week.