U.S. jobless claims rise last week; trend suggests improvement in labour market though

The total number of people applying for jobless benefits in the world's largest economy increased last week, however a trend gauge fell to the lowest level in a five-year period suggesting an improvement in the labour market, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. Initial unemployment claims added 2,000 to 336,000 as expected, while 4-week moving average for claims dropped by 7,500 to 339,750.