WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Xinhua) - The number of US initial jobless claims increased last week, but the labor market remained tight.

A homeless man sleeping on a sidewalk in San Francisco, California. (Photo: VCG)

According to a report released by the US Labor department on Thursday, the number of people filing for US unemployment benefits rose by 7,000 to stand at 214,000 in the week which ends October 6.

The four-week average of initial claims also rose by 2, 500 to 209,500 last week, said the department.

Although the reading edged up slightly, it remained below the 300,000 threshold, which is associated with a strong labor market.

The latest job report released by the department also encouraged the market participants to keep their positive view on US labor market.

US Labor department reported last Friday that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 134,000 in September.

Meanwhile, the department showed that US unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent in September after standing at 3.9 percent for two months, hitting the lowest level since December 1969.