US weekly jobless claims increase more than expected

FILE PHOTO: Signage for a job fair is seen on 5th Avenue after the release of the jobs report in Manhattan, New York City, U.S. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

WASHINGTON: The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week as the labor market steadily eases.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 for the week ended May 4, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 215,000 claims in the latest week. Claims had been tucked in a 194,000-225,000 range for much of the year.