Jobless Claims Rise 'Unexpectedly'

Some bad economic news is coming from the Labor Department. The rate of job growth has appeared to significantly slow, with jobless claims jumping much higher than expected.

This week's number of new applicants for jobless aid is nearing 500,000.

The Labor Department said Thursday that the 43,000 spike in applications to a seasonally adjusted 474,000 last week was largely the result of unusual factors, including spring break layoffs and the introduction of an emergency benefits program.

Still, it marked the third increase in four weeks. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, rose for the fourth straight week to 431,250. Applications have jumped 89,000, or 23 percent, in the past four weeks.

Any more than 400,000 is seen as a danger sign.

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