US initial jobless claims rose by 7,000 in the week ended Nov. 25 to a total of 218,000, the US Department of Labor reported today. The previous week’s level was revised upward by 2,000.

Meanwhile, continuing claims rose to more than 1.9 million, their highest level since November 2021.

Continuing claims rose by 86,000 from the previous week’s revised level.

Analysts believe the increase in continuing claims comes as those already unemployed are having more difficulty finding work, The Associated Press reported.

Additionally, the four-week moving average of initial claims fell by 500 to a total of 220,000 from the previous week’s revised average.