Jobless claims for unemployment benefits rose to 260,000 last week, far exceeding projections made by Bloomberg economists. Some posit that the effects of Hurricane Matthew sent jobless claims rising. Despite the rise in claims, the unemployment situation is still record-breaking, with an 85-week streak spent with under 300,000 claims, last experienced in 1970. Despite the rise in unemployment filings, the level remains at a healthy place for the labor market.
See "Jobless Claims in U.S. Rise After Falling to Four Decade Low", Patricia Laya, Bloomberg BNA, October 20, 2016