RTRS: US jobless claims up to 640,000,bit above forecast
The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits rose by a slightly more than forecast 27,000 last week, government data showed on Thursday, while continued claims posted a record high again as the recession bit.
Initial claims for state unemployment insurance benefits increased to a seasonally adjusted 640,000 in the week ended April 18 from a revised 613,000 the prior week, the Labor Department said.
Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast 635,000 new claims versus a previously reported count of 610,000 the week before.
