Jobless Claims Rise 1,000 for Week

Initial jobless claims rose by 1,000 last week, the Labor Department said Thursday.

Claims rose to 434,000, and the increase was less than the 7,000 decline forecast by economists.

The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure, fell to 450,250, the lowest since September 2008.

Continuing jobless claims fell by 179,000 for the previous week ended Dec. 26, Labor said.