US: Initial jobless claims +4,000 to 353,000, worse than expected

In the week ending August 21, the number of US workers applying for unemployment benefits rose by 4,000 to 353,000, worse than the consensus estimated drop to 345,000.

The moving average for the past four weeks stood at 366,500, slowing from the previous week’s 378,000.

The Americans who continue to receive unemployment benefits are 2,862,000, compared to 2,865,000 the previous week.