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Jobless claims edge up
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March 2, 2000: 9:02 a.m. ET
New claims for state jobless benefits rise 6,000 to 275,000
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits edged up to 275,000 last week from a revised 269,000 the week before, the government said Thursday.
While the number of new claims edged higher, a level below 300,000 points to a tight job market, economists say.
The four-week moving average of claims, which generally provides a more accurate picture of jobless trends, fell to 284,000 from a revised 284,250 the prior period, the Labor Department said in its report.
Continued claims fell to 2,098,000 for the Feb. 19 week, the latest data available, from a revised 2,100,000.
Three states -- Missouri, Washington and Illinois -- reported increases in claims of over 1,000 in the week ended Feb 19, the latest reporting period. Missouri pointed to layoffs in the apparel and transportation industries, while Illinois blamed layoffs in the construction industry. 
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