Jobless claims up modestly; four-week average at 15-year low

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose marginally last week, staying near a 15-year low in a sign that the labor market continues to strengthen despite moderate economic growth. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000 for the week ended May 2, the Labor Department said on Thursday. A Labor Department analyst said there was nothing unusual in the state-level data. The data has no bearing on Friday's employme