The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, but the underlying trend remained consistent with tightening labor market conditions, CNBC reports. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 259,000 for the week ended Jan. 21, the Labor Department said today. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast first-time applications for jobless benefits rising to 247,000 in the latest week.