The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose higher than expected last week to the highest level in nine months.
Initial claims increased by 22,000 to 231,000 in the week ended May 4, according to Labor Department data released today, May 9, after stabilizing in the previous week. 
Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had estimated that new claims would rise to 214,000.
Weekly US Jobless Claims
Item
Last Year
Previous Week
Latest Week
Change
Initial Claims (‘000)
225
209
231
+22
Four-Week Average (‘000)
218
210.25
215
+4.75
Total Beneficiaries (mln)
1.706
1.768
1.785
+0.017
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose higher than expected last week to the highest level in nine months.
Initial claims increased by 22,000 to 231,000 in the week ended May 4, according to Labor Department data released today, May 9, after stabilizing in the previous week.
Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had estimated that new claims would rise to 214,000.
Weekly US Jobless Claims
Item
Last Year
Previous Week
Latest Week
Change
Initial Claims (‘000)
225
209
231
+22
Four-Week Average (‘000)
218
210.25
215
+4.75
Total Beneficiaries (mln)
1.706
1.768
1.785
+0.017
