WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits surged last week, but that likely reflected difficulties adjusting the data for seasonal fluctuations around this time of year, rather than a material change in labor ‍market conditions.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits jumped 44,000 to a seasonally adjusted 236,000 for the week ended December 6, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 220,000 claims for the latest week.

Claims had dropped to a three-year low in the prior week, partly attributed to difficulties adjusting the data around the Thanksgiving holiday. Economists continue to describe the labor market as ‌being in a “no fire, no hire” state despite a raft of ‌layoffs anno

See Full Page