In the week ending Dec. 30 initial claims were 329,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 319,000.
The three states with the highest numbers -- Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Indiana -- reported layoffs in manufacturing, automotive and construction.
The 4-week moving average was 317,500, an increase of 1,250 from the previous week's revised average of 316,250.
