US Jobless Claims Rise by More Than Forecast to 219,000

Applications for US unemployment insurance rose by more than forecast last week, though remained at a historically low level.

Initial unemployment claims increased by 29,000 to 219,000 in the week ended Oct. 1, Labor Department data showed Thursday. The prior week was revised down to the lowest level since April.

The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for 204,000 new applications. The rise in claims was just the third increase since the end of July.

The four-week moving average, which smooths out volatile week-to-week moves, was little changed at 206,500.

Continuing claims for state benefits ...