Recurring applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose to the highest in more than three years, adding to signs that it is taking longer for out-of-work people to find a job.

Continuing applications, a proxy for the number of people receiving benefits, rose to 1.91 million in the week ended Dec. 14, according to Labor Department data released Thursday. Initial claims, meanwhile, ticked down to 219,000 in the week ended Dec. 21.

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