New claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week following two declines, a setback for a sector that hasn't been producing many jobs.Separately, U.S home prices posted a monthly increase in May, a government agency said Thursday, but are still lower than year-earlier levels.
Claims increased by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 418,000 in the week ended July 16, the Labor Department said Thursday. The prior week's claims figure was revised to 408,000, up from an originally reported 405,000.
The increase was the first in three weeks. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast claims to remain unchanged.
Bythe gods, I am so sick of that word.