US initial jobless claims rose by 2,000 in the week ended Dec. 16 to a total of 205,000, the US Department of Labor reported today. The previous week’s level was revised upward by 1,000.

Still, The Associated Press noted claims remained at historically low levels despite high-interest rates intended to slow hiring and cool the economy. “The data continue to signal that layoffs remain low,” Rubeela Farooqi, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, told The Associated Press.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of initial claims dropped by 1,500 in the latest week to a level of 212,000. The previous week’s average was revised upward by 250.