New claims for US unemployment insurance  benefits surged more than expected last week to the highest level since  January, official data showed Thursday.

The Labor Department reported initial jobless claims rose to a seasonally  adjusted 429,000 in the week ending April 23.

That was sharply higher than the average analyst estimate of 390,000.

The Labor Department revised slightly upward the prior week’s claims number  to 404,000.

The department gave no explanation for the unexpected rise in the weekly  indicator on the jobs market.

The four-week moving average, which helps to smooth volatility, was 408,500  claims, an increase of 9,250 from the prior week. The average had been below  the 400,000 threshold for eight consecutive weeks.

The US unemployment rate fell to 8.8 percent in March, its lowest level in  two years, as the economy struggles to recover from recession.

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