US unemployment claims tick higher
US jobless claims edged slightly higher last week.
The number of people filing for unemployment insurance for the first time rose by 3,000 to 241,000 during the week ending on 17 June, according to Department of Labor.
Economists had forecast a rise to 240,000.
A preliminary estimate for the week before was marked up by 1,000 to 237,000 upon revision.
The four-week moving average, which aims to smoothe out the volatility in the data series from one week to the next increased by 1,500 to 244,750.
Secondary unemployment claims, those which are not filed for the first time and referencing the week ending on 10 June, were up by 8,000 to 1.944m.