U.S. jobless claims post largest rise in more than a year

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, posting the biggest gain in more than a year, but the underlying trend continued to point to a strengthening labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 274,000 for the week ended April 30, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast initial claims rising to 260,000 in the latest week.