US weekly jobless claims increase more than expected

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits have jumped 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 for the week ended Jan 31

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week, likely boosted by snowstorms across much of the country, but labour market conditions remain stable.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits jumped 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 for the week ended Jan 31, the Labour Department said on Thursday.

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Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 212,000 claims for the latest week. Heavy snow and freezing temperatures blanketed large portions of the country towards the end of January, which could have left some people unemployed temporarily.