U.S. employment data

Friday, 3 February 2012 04:03

The Labor Department announced that U.S. economy added 243 000 payrolls in January, highly exceeding expectations of 150 000 increase.

That is the biggest growth reported since April, December’s data showed 203 000 rise.

The unemployment rate dropped by 0.2% to reach 8.3% in January. Last time, when jobless rate was at this level was in February 2009.

The report showed also increase in average hourly earnings by 0.02% to total $23.29.