US initial jobless claims rise 9,000 to highest level in 8 months

ANKARA

The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims last week rose 9,000 to 244,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.

It marked the highest level in almost eight months.

Analysts estimated claims to come in at 235,000, which was the previous week’s unrevised figure.

The four-week moving average was 235,750, an increase of 3,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 232,500.

The US economy generated 372,000 jobs in June, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.6%.