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Jobless claims up sharply
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February 8, 2001: 8:57 a.m. ET
First-time filings higher than expected, point to slower demand for workers
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - New claims for unemployment benefits rose sharply last week, the government reported Thursday, demonstrating a continuing slowdown in the labor market as the economy weakens.
The number of Americans filing first-time claims for state unemployment benefits was 361,000 for the week ended Feb. 3, up from 346,000 the week before, according to the U.S. Labor Department.
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 INITIAL JOBLESS CLAIMS RISE
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Michigan reports the highest rise in jobless claims, up by a whopping 23,565 for the week ending Jan. 27.
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Economists surveyed by Reuters had anticipated 348,000 filings for the period, and initial claims are at their highest level since the week ended Dec. 30, when claims were 380,000.
The four-week moving average, which generally gives a more accurate picture of jobless trends, jumped to 331,250 from 327,000 the week before.
Continued claims rose to 2,381,000 for the week ended Jan. 27, the latest data available, down from a revised 2,349,000 the week prior.
Michigan reported the biggest rise in jobless claims, up by a whopping 23,565, for the week ended Jan. 27. Also among the largest claims-increasing states were California, Illinois and New York. 
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