US Employment Rate Rises in April, Unemployment Stable

Kathmandu. Government data released on Friday showed that the US employment rate rose more than expected in April and the unemployment rate remained stable.

The US, described as the world's largest economy, has recently strengthened its labor market gains, although analysts have warned of underlying weaknesses.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said, "Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 115,000 in April and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3 percent."

This gain was mainly in the healthcare, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade sectors.

US employment growth has been seen between expansion and contraction since last year, raising concerns about the state of the labor market and economic growth.

However, this data is likely to reassure Federal Reserve officials that they will keep interest rates stable for now due to rising energy costs due to the Iran war and fears of inflation.

Friday's data came in contrary to analysts' expectations of a 55,000 job growth after the survey, according to Dow Jones Newswires and the Wall Street Journal.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said, citing the data, "This is another sign that the US economy is on a strong path under President Trump's leadership."

The US unemployment rate has remained stable at around 4.3 percent, for which economists have attributed a decline in labor supply.