New jobless claims up 15,000 in week
9/5/2008WASHINGTON - New applications for unemployment benefits rose last week to a seasonally adjusted 444,000, up 15,000 from the previous week, the Labor Department reported yesterday.
The four-week moving average fell by 3,250 to 438,000. Initial claims were 320,000 in the same week last year.
The number continuing to receive benefits rose 6,000 to 3.4 million, a five-year high, for the week ending Aug. 23.