Initial Jobless Claims Up 3,000 Last Week

Washington, DC, December 29, 2005–New claims unemployment benefits rose 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 322,000 in the week ending Dec. 24, the Labor Department said Thursday.

The four-week average of new claims was essentially unchanged at 325,000.

The four-week average of continuing claims fell by about 6,000 to 2.631 million, the lowest since Sept. 10.