First claims rose by 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted level of 242,000 in the week ending April 29.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected 240,000 claims in the most recent week.
Unemployment insurance claims remained at a high this year in a range of 194,000 to 247,000, reflecting increased layoffs when the cumulative effect of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s fastest rate hike since the 1980s began to make itself felt in industries other than housing and technology.
Despite this, the labor market remained strong.
A government report on Tuesday said there were 1.6 jobs available for every unemployed person in March, well above a range of 1.0 to 1.2 jobs that economists say is consistent with a labor market that does not contribute significantly to inflation.
The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark rate another 25 basis points to a range of 5% to 5.25% and signaled it was likely to halt the streak of hikes, though it remained hawkish.
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