Jobless Claims Rose Last Week -- But Less Than Expected

WASHINGTON, Oct 4 (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose less than expected last week, according government data on Thursday that suggested a mild improvement in the labor market.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits climbed 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 367,000, the Labor Department said. The prior week's figure was revised up to show 4,000 more applications than previously reported.