The number of people filling for unemployment benefits rose last week.
The Labor Department says that applications for jobless benefits rose by 13 thousand last week to 260 thousand.
That is the highest level in seven weeks.
Even with last week’s gain, claims, which are proxy for layoffs, remain at levels indicating that workers are enjoying job security despite sluggish economic growth.
Overall, 2.06 million Americans are collecting unemployment checks, down 6 percent from a year ago.