The latest US jobless claims data surged after almost four weeks, signal a consistent growth in jobs after Americans applying for unemployment benefits increased during the previous week but remained within a relatively low range. Initial jobless claims surged by 10,000 and clocking in at 244,000 last April 15. Economists had been initially expecting a reading of 240,000 new jobless claims, with the claims two weeks ago recording at an unrevised 234,000. The jobless claims had surged for the first time since March 18.