The Labor Department reported Thursday that new applications for unemployment benefits rose 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 478,000, slightly above analysts' estimates of 470,000.
The four-week average, which smooths out fluctuations, dropped slightly to 480,250, down from a seven-year high in the previous week.
Jobless claims above 400,000 are considered a sign of recession. A year ago, claims stood at 333,000, the department said.
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