Weekly applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose 19,000 last week to 348,000, the highest in about a month. But the broader trend in applications remains low. The Labor Department says that the four-week average, a less volatile measure, increased just 750 to 333,000, near pre-recession levels.
Here are the states with the biggest increases and decreases in applications. The state data is for the week ended Jan. 18, one week behind the national data:
States with the biggest decreases:
Pennsylvania: Down 16,595, due to fewer layoffs in administrative and support services, and transportation
Indiana: Down 10,740, no reason given
Texas: Down 8,789, no reason given
Georgia: Down 8,119, due to fewer layoffs in manufacturing, administrative and support services, construction, and hotels and food services
Massachusetts: Down 5,863, due to fewer layoffs in educational services and construction industries
States with the biggest increases:
California: Up 11,708, due to layoffs in services and agriculture
Oregon: Up 1,239, no reason given
