Weekly Jobless Claims Rise Less Than Expected

By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose less than expected last week and remained near its pre-recession levels, offering further evidence of the economy's underlying strength.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits ticked up 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 304,000 for the week ended April 12, the Labor Department said Thursday. They stayed close to a 6½ year low touched the prior week.