US jobless claims tick up to 412,000 from a pandemic low

The total number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time since April despite widespread evidence that the economy and the job market are rebounding steadily.

The U.S. Labor Department said Thursday that jobless claims are up 37,000 from the week before to reach 412,000.

Many economists expect hiring to catch up to demand in the coming months, noting the end of federal unemployment aid programs and more people searching for jobs. They said the economy still has 7.6 million fewer jobs than it did before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived.

Read more from the Associated Press.