U.S. Jobless Claims Hit an 8-Month High; Economists Surprised

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly surged last week to their highest level since last summer.

Initial unemployment claims increased by 43,000 to a seasonally adjusted 474,000 in the week ended April 30, the Labor Department said.

The prior week's figure was revised to 431,000 from an originally reported 429,000.

Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast claims would fall by 19,000 in the latest week. The level of 474,000 was the highest since the week ending Aug. 14, 2010.

A Labor Department analyst attributed the surprising increase to one-time administrative factors, including additional layoffs in New York state due to spring break, which doubled the number of claims in the state. Other reasons cited were a new emergency benefit program in Oregon, and additional automobile industry claims, the Journal reported.

Unemployment figures for April, due out Friday, may amplify on this story.