The latest data shows the largest increase in initial jobless claims in the USA in 6 weeks, indicating some weakness in the US labor market. As of the week ending April 29, first-time claims for unemployment benefits increased by 13,000 to 242,000. Continued claims for unemployment benefits fell to about 1.81 million for the week ending April 22.
Continued unemployment claimants include those who have received unemployment benefits for one week or more, which is a good indicator of the difficulty people face in finding work after unemployment.