Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by 23,000 to 248,000 during the week ended Feb. 12, the Labor Department reported Feb. 17.
Jobless rates remain near historically low levels, reflecting relatively few layoffs across the economy. Claims were revised upward to 225,000 for the week ended Feb. 5.
The four-week average for claims, which compensates for weekly volatility, fell by 10,500 to 243,250. It was the second straight week of declines after rising for five straight weeks as the omicron variant of the coronavirus spread, disrupting business in many parts of the U.S.
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