(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, March 9 (KUNA) -- The US unemployment rate last month was 4.1 percent, the same as in January, with 313,000 jobs added -- significantly more than the gain of about 200,000 that economists had anticipated, according to the Labor Department report released Friday.
Average hourly wages grew by 0.1 percent in February, the monthly report showed. They grew by 0.3 percent in January.
The three-month average job growth was roughly 200,000 a month.
Other data released this week showed initial jobless claims remain near their lowest level in almost 50 years. This suggests layoffs are down and employers are trying to retain their workers.
Signs of stronger wage growth have fueled inflation concerns on Wall Street amid speculation that the Fed may raise interest rates at least four times this year, rather than the three increases previously expected. (end) rm.mt
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