The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 2,250 in the week ended March 23 to a level of 343,000, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Department of Labor. The previous week’s reported average was revised to 340,750.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week were 357,000, up 16,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 341,000 and the highest level in more than a month.