U.S. jobless claims post largest increase since February

WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - - New U.S. applications for unemployment benefits last week recorded their largest increase in eight months, but remained at levels consistent with a fairly healthy labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 276,000 for the week ended Oct. 24, the Labor Department said on Thursday. A Labor Department analyst said there were no special factors influencing the data.