US initial jobless claims rose by 13,000 in the week ended Feb. 24 to a total of 215,000, the US Department of Labor reported today. The previous week’s level was revised upward by 1,000.

However, The Associated Press noted that layoffs remain historically low even as more high-profile companies have announced job cuts this year.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims fell by 3,050 from the previous week in the latest week to 212,500. The previous week’s average was revised upward by 250.