Okay, now we're definitely
at higher numbers.
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- First-time claims for state unemployment benefits rose 19,000 last week, reaching the highest level since late January, the government reported Thursday.
The number of initial claims in the week ended Feb. 23 gained 19,000 to 373,000, according to the Labor Department.
The four-week average of initial claims fell 1,250 to 360,500.
Recipients of state jobless benefits rose 21,000 to 2.81 million in the week ended Feb. 16, reaching the highest level since October 2005. The four-week moving average of continuing claims rose 24,250 to 2.78 million, also reaching the highest level since October 2005, when Hurricane Katrina flooded the jobless rolls.