"We won't read too much into one week's claims data, but if an upward trend persists, it would be consistent with other recent indicators pointing to some loosening of labor market conditions," said Nancy Vanden Houten, Lead U.S. Continuing claims, a reading on the number of people receiving ongoing unemployment assistance, also edged up by 15,000 to 1.362 million in the week ended September 24th. "Any easing of labor market conditions will be welcome by the Fed but won't change the FOMC's plans to continue to raise rates in an effort to bring down inflation," said Vanden Houten.