The US Department of Labor has released weekly data on unemployment benefit claims.
According to the data, the number of people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time in the country increased by 9,000 compared to the previous week, reaching 221,000 in the week ending March 30.
The number of claims, which recorded its highest level in the last two months, was expected to be 213,000.
REVISED UPWARD
The previous week's data on unemployment benefit claims was revised upward from 210,000 to 212,000.
As of last week, the 4-week moving average of unemployment benefit claims rose by 2,750 to 214,250.
The number of continuing unemployment benefit claims decreased by 19,000 in the week ending March 23, falling to 1 million 791 thousand.
News Source: AA
