US jobless rate gloom

US JOBLESS figures were unchanged last week, renewing fears over the country's economy.

The US Department of Labour said that initial claims for state unemployment benefits held steady at a seasonally adjusted 370,000.

The prior week's figure was revised up to 370,000 from the previously reported 367,000.

Futures for US stocks added to losses following the data's publication. The data comes on the heels of three straight months of slowing employment gains.

Companies added 115,000 new jobs to their payrolls in April, the fewest in six months.