u.s. jobless claims for more than two weeks reach biggest in about three years

The number of "continued unemployment" claims filed for unemployment benefits for more than two weeks in the U.S. reached the highest level in about three years.

The U.S. Labor Department said the number of "continued unemployment benefits" claims during the week between the 6th and 12th of this month was 1.897 million, up 28,000 from the previous week, the highest level in two years and 11 months.

The continued rise in jobless claims means that more people are not immediately looking for new jobs after unemployment.

In the meantime, the number of new unemployment benefits filed during the week between the 6th and 12th of this month was 227,000, down 15,000 from a week ago, and below Dow Jones' expert forecast of 245,000.

Wall Street is paying close attention to the U.S. job market trends amid concerns that the U.S. economy is cooling down quickly.