THE ECONOMY

The number of U.S. workers filing for state unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week. First-time jobless claims increased by 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 316,000 for the week ended April 10, the Labor Department said. That’s the highest level since the week ended Jan. 9, when it was at 358,000, and follows the previous week’s revised total of 302,000. Claims so far this year have averaged 305,333 a week, lower than 1998’s average of 316,365.