Initial jobless claims grew by 10,000 filings for the week ending Dec. 29, the Labor Department said Thursday.
Overall, 362,000 applications were filed, and the 4-week moving average increased by 250 filings to 360,000 unemployment applications.
The growth in applications follows a week in which claims fell by 12,000 filings. However, that steep drop occurred right before the holidays and followed a week in which claims shot up by 17,000 filings.