The number of people applying for U.S. unemployment benefits rose 14,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 348,000, though the broader trend in applications remained stable. The Labor Department said Thursday that the four-week average was unchanged at 338,250.
The number of people applying for U.S. unemployment benefits rose 14,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 348,000, though the broader trend in applications remained stable. The Labor Department said Thursday that the four-week average was unchanged at 338,250.
Here are the states with the biggest increases and decreases in the week ended Feb. 15. That's one week behind the national data:
States with the biggest decreases:
Georgia: Down 7,759, due to fewer layoffs in manufacturing, construction, administrative and support services, and hotels and restaurants
Pennsylvania: Down 3,677, due to fewer layoffs in construction and administrative and support services
Wisconsin: Down 3,227, no reason given
Illinois: Down 2,780, no reason given
North Carolina: Down 2,644, due to fewer layoffs in hotels and restaurants
States with the biggest increases:
California: Up 5,832, due to layoffs in services
Michigan: Up 2,129, due to layoffs in wholesale trade
Oregon: Up 1,574, due to bad weather
Missouri: Up 1,045, due to layoffs in construction, transportation and warehousing, and hotels and restaurants.