Initial filings for unemployment benefits hit their highest level of the year last week in another potential signs of weakness in the labor market. Jobless claims for the week ending Feb. 22 totaled a seasonally adjusted 242,

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits posted the largest increase in five months last week, but the underlying trend in claims remained consistent with a steadily slowing labor market.

More Americans filed for initial jobless benefits last week, according to the Department of Labor, raising the tally to the highest weekly level since December. The week through Feb. 22 brought 242,000 initial jobless claims,