Washington, Jumada I 19, 1438, Feb 16, 2017, SPA-- The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits increased slightly last week, the government said Thursday, but still remained at a healthy level. The Labor Department reported that claims for unemployment benefits rose by 5,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 239,000. The increase came after claims had fallen to 234,000 the previous week, which was the second lowest reading in the past year. The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure, climbed a slight 500 to 245,250. It marked 102 consecutive weeks in which claims applications have been below the key threshold of 300,000, the longest stretch since 1970. Employers added 227,000 jobs in January as the unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.8 percent, still in line with the level that the Federal Reserve (Fed) views as indicating full employment. The jobless rate rose in January mostly because more people entered the labor market seeking work. --SPA 19:24 LOCAL TIME 16:24 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w334151