Weekly Jobless Claims Rise, but Trend Is Lower

Washington, DC, Dec. 29, 2011 -- New claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, according to the Labor Department.

However, the underlying trend continued to point to improving labor market conditions.

Initial claims increased 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 381,000.

Economists had forecast claims rising to 375,000.

The four-week moving average fell 5,750 to 375,000, the lowest level since June 2008.