The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 13,250 in the week ended Dec. 14 to 343,500 from the previous week’s revised figure of 330,250, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week rose by 10,000 to a total of 379,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 369,000.

MarketWatch reports claims reached the highest level since March, but the spike probably reflects typical holiday-season ups and downs instead of any abrupt change in a labor market. To read the story, click here.