Initial jobless claims remain at low levels but are edging slightly higher

Initial claims rose 11,000 in the September 6 week to 315,000, pulling up the 4-week average slightly to a 304,000 level that is 8,000 above the month-ago comparison. Data for continuing claims, which lag by a week, showed a 9,000 rise in the August 30 week to 2.487 million. But here, the 4-week average is trending slightly lower, down 15,000 in the week to a 2.499 million level that is a new recovery low and 20,000 below the month-ago comparison