Associated Press (05/31/12)
The number of Americans who filed requests for jobless benefits climbed by 10,000 last week to 383,000, the highest level in five weeks, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 373,000 from 370,000. The four-week average increased for the first time in a month to 374,500.
Unemployment claim applications had leveled off at about 370,000 for four weeks. That decline suggested that hiring could pick up in May. Applications below 375,000 typically suggest that hiring is strong enough to reduce the unemployment rate.