The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 20,000 in the week ended Oct. 5 to a level of 325,000 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 305,000, 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 to 374,000, up 66,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 308,000 and the highest level since the week following Superstorm Sandy in November 2012.

Bloomberg reports half the increase came from California as the state worked through a backlog following a switch in computer systems and another 15,000 reflected the furlough of non-federal workers from employers losing government business. To read the story, click here.