Jobless Claims Rise on Seasonal Layoffs

The number of U.S. workers filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits rose last week to 319,000, pushed up by seasonal layoffs in the auto industry and school closings.

Initial claims rose by 7,000 for the week ended July 2, the Labor Department said. The less-volatile four-week moving average fell by 3,500 to 320,500, the lowest since the week ended March 4.