The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose sharply last week, signaling potential cooling in the labor market. Seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims increased by 27,000 to 263,000 in the week ending September 5, the Department of Labor reported on Thursday.
The figure came in higher than expectations and marks one of the steepest weekly increases in recent months. The four-week moving average rose by 9,750 to 240,500, highlighting a broader upward trend in claims.
Meanwhile, the advance insured unemployment rate for the week ending August 30 remained steady at 1.3%. The number of insured unemployed stood unchanged at 1,939,000, while the four-week moving average dipped slightly by 750 to 1,945,750.
