Claims for U.S. Jobless Benefits Increase to Seven-Week High

From bloomberg.com

Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits rose to a seven-week high, representing a departure from other data showing a solid labor market. Jobless claims increased by 15,000 to 258,000 in the week ended March 18, a Labor Department report showed Thursday. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for 240,000. On an unadjusted basis, applications jumped in Ohio and Kansas. Even with the pickup in claims last week, hiring managers have been slow to dismiss workers as the labor market tightens and job vacancies become harder to fill with skilled and experienced employees. Companies also have been adding to payrolls ... (full story)