JOBLESS CLAIMS EDGE UP AMID IMPROVING ECONOMY

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits edged higher last week to 745,000, a sign that many employers continue to cut jobs despite evidence that the overall economy is improving. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims rose by 9,000 from the previous week. Though the pace of layoffs has eased since the year began, they remain high by historical standards. All told, 4.3 million Americans are receiving traditional state unemployment benefits.