Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits rose last week, reflecting jumps in states hit by Hurricane Florence, though the national figure remains near the lowest in almost five decades, Labor Department figures showed Thursday.
Jobless claims increased by 12,000 to 214,000 (estimates were for 210,000). Continuing claims rose by 16,000 to 1.661 million in the week ended Sept. 15 (data reported with one-week lag). The four-week average of initial claims, a less-volatile measure than the weekly figure, was little changed at 206,250.
The increase in weekly claims reflects an almost fivefold jump to about 10,000 in North Carolina and a more than doubling to nearly 3,400 in South Carolina, two states grappling with flooding and damage from Florence. The jump is expected to prove temporary, similar to the pattern from previous major storms, such as Harvey and Irma in 2017.
The trend in unemployment-benefits applications continues to indicate steady business demand for workers, which is projected to be reinforced by the September payrolls report due next week. The unemployment rate is close to the lowest since 1969 and employers are citing a shortage of skilled workers.
The prior week’s reading was revised to 202,000 from 201,000. The unemployment rate among people eligible for benefits was unchanged at 1.2%.
