New Unemployment Claims Up Slightly

The number of Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits rose by 1,000 to 314,000 last week from the week before, the second straight increase, but remained at levels consistent with a healthy labor market, Labor Department figures showed. Economists had projected new claims at 315,000. A separate report showed that U.S. wholesale inventories fell in October, the first drop in three months, as the value of stocks of paper, farm products and petroleum declined. Wholesale inventories fell 0.2% to $283.4 billion in October after rising 1.3% in September, the Commerce Department reported. Sales at wholesalers fell 0.4% to $213 billion in October, after rising 1% in September.