US jobs number shows resilience

US jobs number shows resilience

November job growth rebounded with 227,000 new nonfarm jobs, up from October's revised 36,000, as strike and storm effects eased. Unemployment rose slightly to 4.2%, with labour force participation dipping to 62.5%. Key sectors like health care (+54,000) and leisure (+53,000) led gains, while retail lost 28,000 jobs. Wages increased 0.4% monthly and 4% annually, slightly above expectations. Despite cooling inflation, recent labour and price trends pose challenges for the Federal Reserve. Strong hiring but higher unemployment provides  mixed signals, bolstering expectations for a Fed rate cut in December, with markets pricing in an 88% chance. US equities showed strength on the news with the tech heavy Nasdaq leading the gains.