By Ruth Mantell
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The number of new applications for jobless benefits rose by 68,000 in the week that ended Dec. 7 to 368,000, reaching the highest level in two months, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday. That result was above a consensus forecast of 335,000. However, economists warn over reading too much into data around the holidays because of seasonal adjustment issues. A four-week average of initial claims for regular state unemployment-insurance benefits rose 6,000 to 328,750. Continuing claims rose 40,000 to 2.79 million in the week that ended Nov. 30. Continuing claims reflect the number of people already receiving benefits. The four-week average of continuing claims declined 4,750 to 2.79 million, the lowest since January 2008.
