According to the Labor Department, the number of people filing for unemployment benefits rose last week by 8,000. Despite the increase, the numbers are still near the lowest point in four years. The four week average increased by 250. Economists say that the slight increase does not change the progress that the economy is making. The Labor Department will release employment numbers for February on Friday.
See "Jobless claims rise, but labor market healing", Lucia Mutikani, Reuters, March 7, 2012