Applications for jobless claims remain at low level

More Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, but their numbers remained low enough to suggest that layoffs are rare and the job market is healthy. The U.S. Labor Department says the number of people seeking jobless aid rose by 6,000, to a seasonally adjusted 278,000, highest since the end of January. The less-volatile four-week moving average slipped by 1,750, to 270,250, lowest since late November. The figures, released a day before the government’s February report on job creation and unemployment, show the U.S. job market remains resilient in the face of economic weakness overseas and turmoil in financial markets. Unemployment is at an eight-year low of 4.9%. On Wednesday, the payroll processor ADP reported that U.S. businesses added a healthy 214,000 jobs in February, up from 193,000 in January.

Average 30-year mortgage rate ticks up to 3.64%

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose this week for the first time in two months as global economic anxiety and market turbulence eased. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage increased to 3.64% from 3.62% last week. The benchmark rate remains below the 3.75% level it marked a year ago. The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages edged up to 2.94% from 2.93% last week.

Disney plans to build 2 new cruise ships

Disney Cruise Line announced Thursday that it is building two new ships. The new vessels are scheduled to be completed in 2021 and 2023. They will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. The new ships will each have about 1,250 staterooms, and will be slightly larger than Disney’s newest ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The company has two other ships as well, Disney Magic, and its first ship, Disney Wonder, which launched in 1998. Design plans, ship names and itineraries for the new vessels are still in development. The announcement was made Thursday by Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger in Chicago at the annual meeting of company shareholders. Disney ships are loaded with company branding, including activities, shows, decor and venues all themed on Disney characters and story lines.