Signage at a job fair at Brunswick Community College in Bolivia, North Carolina, US, on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
The U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected in April while the unemployment rate rose, reversing a trend of robust job growth that had kept the Federal Reserve cautious as it looks for signals on when it can start cutting interest rates.
The unemployment rate ticked higher to 3.9% against expectations it would hold steady at 3.8%.
Average hourly earnings rose 0.2% from the previous month and 3.9% from a year ago, both below consensus estimates and an encouraging sign for inflation.
The jobless rate tied for the highest level since January 2022.
Persons:
Dow Jones
Organizations:
Brunswick Community College, Reserve, Dow
Locations:
Bolivia , North Carolina, U.S