January 27. 2011 2:00AM - Last modified: March 14. 2012 1:11PM

U.S. jobless claims up 51,000 to 454,000

  

New applications for U.S. jobless benefits jumped by 51,000 to 454,000 last week, the U.S. Labor Department reported today, up from 403,000 during the previous week.

The increase was blamed partially on recent poor weather that forced unemployment offices in some Southern states to close, resulting in a claims backlog.

The four-week average of new claims, climbed 15,750 to 428,750, the highest level in two months, the Labor Department said.


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