First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits edged slightly higher in the week ended December 3rd, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
The report said initial jobless claims crept up to 230,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level of 226,000.
Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 230,000 from the 225,000 originally reported for the previous week.
The Labor Department said the less volatile four-week moving average also ticked up to 230,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average of 229,000.
