US initial jobless claims rose by 11,000 in the week ended April 8 to a total of 239,000, the US Department of Labor reported today.

This is the highest level for claims since Jan. 15, 2022, when it was 251,000, The Associated Press reported. It noted the job market seems to be showing signs of softening more than a year after the Federal Reserve began raising rates to take on inflation.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of initial claims rose by 2,250 to a level of 240,000.