First-time unemployment claims fell nationally last week for the first time in a month to just slightly above a four-year low, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Jobless claims declined by 27,000 to a seasonally adjusted 365,000 in the week ended April 28, the agency said today. Claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 392,000 from an original reading of 388,000.
After sinking to a four-year low of 361,000 in February, claims reversed course over the past month and reached the highest level since last November. Many economists believed a late Easter holiday and spring break, when many school workers can seek temporary benefits, triggered a spike that would soon recede.
Also Thursday, the Labor Department said continuing unemployment claims decreased by 53,000 to a seasonally adjusted 3.28 million in the week ended April 21. Continuing claims reflect people already receiving benefits.
A clearer picture of hiring trends will emerge on Friday when the government releases the employment report for April.
In Wisconsin, the number of initial claims for unemployment compensation fell last week to 10,437 from 11,187 in the previous week, according to the Department of Workforce Development.
