-- US initial jobless claims rose to a level of 214,000 in the employment survey week ended April 18 from an upwardly revised 208,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for an increase to 210,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.
Initial claims were at a level of 205,000 in the employment survey week ended March 14.
The four-week moving average rose by 750 to 210,750 after increasing by 750 to a level of 210,000 in the previous week.
Insured jobless claims rose by 12,000 to 1,821,000 in the week ended April 11.
The weekly initial jobless claims data released by the US Labor Department measures filings for unemployment insurance benefits. Initial filings are reported through the previous Saturday, while those already on benefits are measured with a one-week lag.
A decrease in claims suggests a stronger labor market, a positive for the US economy and stocks, but a negative for bonds as it suggests wage growth that could lead to inflation.