Jobless claims rise 7,000 in latest week

U.S. employment conditions, while softening, still seen as good

WASHINGTON - The number of newly laid off people signing up for jobless benefits rose last week, suggesting that employment conditions, while softening a tad, still remain good.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that new applications filed for unemployment insurance increased by a seasonally adjusted 7,000 to 316,000 for the week ending Aug. 4. The increase left claims at their highest point since late June.

Economists were predicting claims would be lower, around 310,000 for last week.