US initial jobless claims rose by 3,000 in the week ended May 25 to a total of 219,000, the US Department of Labor reported today. The previous week’s level was revised upward by 1,000.

They were up more than forecast. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 218,000 claims in the latest week.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average increased by 2,500 in the latest week to a level of 222,500. The previous week’s average was revised upward by 250.