Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 33,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 258,000 for the week ended October 5.

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits rose marginally last week, but Hurricane Helene's rampage in the U.S. Southeast and strikes at Boeing and ports could distort the labor market picture in the near term.

Applications for jobless benefits are widely considered representative of U.S. layoffs in a given week, but they can be volatile and susceptible to historic events.

Initial claims for US unemployment benefits reached their highest level in more than a year in the week ended on Oct. 5, reflecting the potential slow

Analysts highlighted jobless benefit applications across states such as, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits last week jumped to its highest level in a year, which analysts are saying is more likely a result of Hurricane Helene — and the Boeing machinist strike — than a broader softening in the labor market.

Applications for US unemployment benefits rose last week to a more than one-year high, reflecting notable increases in Michigan and states hit by. Initial claims increased by 33,000 to 258,000 in the week ended Oct.

Applications for US unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest in over a year, reflecting large increases in Michigan, as well as states affected by Hurricane Helene.