Jobless claims rise by largest amount in 3 months

The number of people filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week by the largest amount in three months.

The surge is evidence of how volatile the job market remains, even as the economy grows.

Applications for unemployment benefits rose to 471,000 last week, up by 25,000 from the prev i o u s we e k , t h e Labor Department said today. It was the first increase in five weeks and the biggest jump since a gain of 40,000 in February.

The forecast had been for claims to fall by around 4,000 from the previous week.

"Although no one expects this volatile series to go i...