New claims for unemployment benefits, a proxy for layoffs, rose to 7,687 in the week through July 13, up from 6,552 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. jobless claims rose to 243,000 last week, up 20,000 from 223,000 claims the previous week, after seasonal adjustment.

South Carolina saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims increasing 91.1%. North Dakota, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage decrease in new claims, with claims dropping 58.3%.