US jobless claims rise slightly by 18,000

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims slightly rose by 18,000 to 206,000 last week, the US Labor Department said Thursday.

The figure is the 10th consecutive week below 300,000 and "the lowest level for initial claims since November 15, 1969 when it was 202,750," it said.

This also marks the third time claims came at the lowest level since 1969.

Analysts expected the figure to come in at 200,000 for the week ending Dec. 11. Last week's level was revised up by 4,000 from 184,000 to 188,000.

The unemployment rate in the world's largest economy fell to 4.2% in November, down from 4.6% in October, according to the Labor Department.

The US economy, however, added 210,000 jobs in November, much lower than estimates.