/ Source: The Associated Press
The number of newly laid-off workers signing up for unemployment benefits rose last week as companies kept a close eye on the size of their work forces amid slowing economic activity.
The Labor Department reported Thursday that new applications filed for unemployment insurance increased by a seasonally adjusted 9,000 to 315,000 for the work week ending Dec. 16. That was in line with economists’ projections.
New claims filed in the prior week rose to 306,000, according to revised numbers released Thursday. The figure was initially reported as coming in at 304,000.