U.S. jobless claims rise; planned layoffs surge

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. Another report on Thursday showed a 35 percent surge in planned layoffs by U.S.-based employers last month. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 274,000 for the week ended April30, the Labor Department said.