Claims for Unemployment Benefits Rise

Washington, DC, Sept. 8, 2011 — Initial claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose to 414,000 in the week ending September 3 from an upwardly revised 412,000 the prior week, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

Analysts had been looking for a dip to 405,000.

Excluding one week in early August, claims have held above 400,000 since early April.

The four-week moving average of claims rose to 414,750 from 411,000 the prior week.