Summary Box: Jobless claims rise for first time in 5 weeks, signaling little job growth

Summary Box: Unemployment claims rise to 465K

CLAIMS RISE: Applications for unemployment benefits rose for the first time in five weeks, suggesting hiring is weak amid sluggish economic growth. First-time claims increased by 12,000 to 465,000, the government said Thursday.

LITTLE CHANGE THIS YEAR: Claims are below the nine-month high of 500,000 they reached last month. But they have edged down only slightly since January.

NOT ENOUGH JOBS: Because applications have fallen since last month, economists forecast the economy will generate a net job gain in September. But it’s unlikely to be enough to reduce the jobless rate.