New applications for unemployment benefits in the United States are growing more than expected: the data for the week ending August 23 mark an increase of 4 thousand units to 302 thousand, compared to the 298 thousand revised in the previous week (299.750 the first reading). Analysts' expectations were for an increase to 298 units.
The average for the past four weeks - according to data from the US Department of Labor - settled at 302.750 million, an increase of 3.000 units compared to the revised number of the previous week. Finally, in the week ending August 23, continuing claims for benefits rose by 64.000 to 2.464.000. The average for the past four weeks stood at 2.527.000, up 1.000 from the week before.
