The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 4,750 in the week ended April 19 to 316,750 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 312,000, 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 by 24,000 to a total of 329,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised figure of 305,000.

MarketWatch reports the increase in applications for benefits is likely related to a seasonal quirk tied to the Easter holiday.