(Image source: StreetInsider.com ) BY MATT MORENO ANCHOR LOGAN TITTLE A new government report suggests more Americans are getting laid off.  The Labor Department reported Thursday the amount of Americans filing for jobless benefits rose last week. The report states 362,000 Americans applied for the benefits -- up about 20,000. [Source: CNN ] But, economists say things are still stable. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had predicted applications to rise to 351,000 . Some experts say the increase may be in part because of delays caused by President’s Day. Full data for four states had to be estimated. So,the numbers aren’t good, but a blogger for MSNBC’s Maddow Blog explains why you shouldn’t read too far into them...   “ … when jobless claims fall below the 400,000 threshold, it's considered evidence of an improving jobs landscape, and when the number drops below 370,000, it suggests jobs are being created rather quickly. We've been below the 370,000 threshold nine of the last 11 weeks.” These week-to-week reports also tend to be sporadic. Instead, economists tend to look at a four-week average , which showed claims rose by only about 8,000. And yearly numbers show the economy is making slow, but steady, progress. In fact, in two of the last three weeks, new claims have fallen. NASDAQ reports , “hiring typically picks up when layoffs decline.” Bloomberg reports concerns about rising gas prices and January tax increases are hindering consumer spending. But, companies appear to be maintaining their staffing levels. The economy is trending in the right direction. 175,000 jobs have been added in the last two years.