WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits increased by the most in nearly 4-1/2 years last week, but the surge likely does not suggest a material weakening in labor market conditions, as the claims data are volatile around this time of year.
The larger-than-expected rise in initial weekly jobless claims reported by the Labor Department on Thursday reversed the sharp drop in the prior week, which had pushed filings to a three-year low.
