US Jobless Claims Rise Sharply During Holiday Week

Washington: The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose sharply last week, a potential signal the job market was losing steam although some of the increase might be attributed to temporary holiday factors. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 20,000 to a seasonally adjusted 287,000 for the week ended December 26, the US Labor Department said on Thursday. That was the highest since July, a...