Weekly Jobless Claims Rise; Ongoing Claims Lowest Since 2007

By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose a bit more than expected last week, but remained at levels consistent with tightening labor market conditions.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 302,000 for the week ended Aug. 30, the Labor Department said Thursday. Claims for the prior week were unrevised.