Solid Jobs Creation Pushes Monetary Easing Expectations Back
The US economy generated stronger wage growth and more jobs than expected in December, adding momentum to an ongoing reversal in Federal Reserve rate cut bets across the financial markets. According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning, 216,000 jobs were added, and the unemployment rate held steady at 3.7 percent, remaining near historic lows. Average hourly earnings rose 4.1 percent year-over-year, solidly topping expectations for a 3.9 percent increase. Ahead of the release, consensus estimates had pointed to a 170,000-job gain, and the unemployment rate was seen moving slightly higher. Diffusion indices – which measure...