The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased last week, pointing to easing labor market conditions. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 238,

Initial claims for unemployment benefits came in higher than Wall Street expected, another sign of a cooling labor market ahead of the release of employment data for June on Friday.Jobless claims, published weekly by the U.

Analysts say that continuing claims rise because many of those who are already unemployed may now be having a harder time finding new work.