Initial Jobless Claims Rise to 364,000

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits surged last week, probably because of distortions typical in the holiday season, the government said. Less volatile figures showed that claims held steady.

Initial applications rose by 43,000 in the week that ended Saturday to 364,000, the biggest jump since March 2002, from 321,000 a week earlier, the Labor Department said. The four-week moving average rose to 333,000 from 332,250.