Jobless claims jump sharply, up by 68,000

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- First-time unemployment benefits claims jumped sharply in the week ending Saturday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday.

Initial claims rose by 68,000 from an upwardly revised figure from the previous week to 368,000.

The statistical office revised last week's claims from 298,000 to 300,000.

The four-week rolling average of first-time unemployment benefits claims rose by 6,000 to 328,750.

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending Nov. 30 were in Wisconsin, up by 4,420, Ohio, up by 2,597 and Kentucky with a gain of 1,538.

The largest decreases were in California, down by 19,920, Texas, down by 7,284 and Florida with a drop of 5,400.