First-time filings for unemployment insurance jumped higher last week in a sign of continuing strife for the labor market.
New claims totaled 861,000, the highest level in a month and above the Dow Jones estimate of 773,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
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Markets moved little on the news, with stocks poised to open lower on Wall Street.
The total for the week ended Feb. 13 only marked a slight uptick, however, from the 848,000 a week ago. That number was revised up from the initially reported 793,000.
Continuing claims declined again, edging lower to just below 4.5 million, a drop of 64,000. That data runs a week behind the headline first-time claims total.
The total of those receiving benefits has declined, falling by 1.3 million to 18.34 million.
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Source: cnbc.com