New applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose to 200,000 in the week ended Nov. 7, the Labor Department said Thursday. Claims increased by 9,000 from the prior week’s revised total of 191,000, while the four-week average held at 195,250.
Continuing claims fell
The Labor Department report put continuing claims at 1.697 million for the week ended Oct. 31, down 20,000 from the previous week’s revised total. The insured unemployment rate held at 1.1%. All three weekly figures were adjusted for seasonal patterns.
Initial claims count new applications, while continuing claims track people claiming benefits after their first week. The four-week average helps smooth fluctuations in the weekly figures. The Associated Press reported that applications remained low by historical standards despite the increase.