March Employment Numbers Fall Below Expectations
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iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The economy created 126,000 jobs in March, according to the latest figures released Friday by the U.S. Labor Department.
The unemployment rate remained mostly unchanged at 5.5 percent, with the numbers for March falling short of economist expectations of about 250,000 jobs.
January and February numbers were revised to show 69,000 fewer jobs were added in those months.
Hourly earnings in March were up slightly to provide a sliver of positive news in the report.
Jobs last month were added mainly in healthcare, retail and professional and business services.
Some economists are speculating that severe winter weather may have had an impact on the Labor Department’s most recent report. A harsh winter last year had a similar effect on employment, but the market bounced back as spring took hold.
Stock markets are closed Friday for the Easter holiday weekend.
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