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Applications for US jobless aid rise to still-low 266,000

In this Tuesday, July 19, 2016, photo, a job applicant attends a job fair in Miami Lakes, Fla. On Thursday, July 28, 2016, the Labor Department reports on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits the week before. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
In this Tuesday, July 19, 2016, photo, a job applicant attends a job fair in Miami Lakes, Fla. On Thursday, July 28, 2016, the Labor Department reports on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits the week before. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) In this Tuesday, July 19, 2016, photo, a job applicant attends a job fair in Miami Lakes, Fla. On Thursday, July 28, 2016, the Labor Department reports on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits the week before. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

By Associated Press 2 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – More Americans sought unemployment aid last week, but the number of applications was still at a low level that suggested hiring is healthy.

THE NUMBERS: Applications for unemployment benefits rose 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 266,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, slipped 1,000 to 256,500.

The number of Americans receiving benefits ticked up 7,000 to 2.14 million. Still, that’s down nearly 6 percent from a year ago.

THE TAKEAWAY: Weekly applications are a proxy for layoffs. They are at historically low levels that suggest businesses are confident enough about the future to hold onto their employees.

The number of people seeking aid has been below 300,000 for 73 straight weeks, the longest streak since 1973. When layoffs are low, hiring is typically solid.