New York, NY (BBN)- The US economy added a stronger-than-expected 255,000 jobs in July, fuelling speculation that interest rates could rise before the end of the year.
The figure was below June's upwardly revised figure of 292,000 jobs, but was far higher than analysts' forecasts of between 175,000 and 180,000, reports BBC.
The US unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9 per cent.
Dennis de Jong from UFX.com said July's figure reveals a "strong but not spectacular US economy".
He said the number "represents more of a return to the form of the first six months of the year".
The US Fed recently signalled that it was on course to increase interest rates this year as "near-term risks" such slowing employment receded.
However, subsequent data revealed that the US economy grew at a slower pace than expected in the second quarter of the year.
'Steady improvement'
The Fed's next policy meeting is due in September, but analysts think they could wait until later in the year to take any action.
Chris Williamson, chief economist at IHS Markit, said: "The steady job market improvement and keeps alive the possibility of the Fed hiking rates again this year, but worries about sluggish economic growth and deteriorating productivity, as well as uncertainty created by the presidential election, suggests that any tightening of policy will be delayed until December."
Doug Duncan, chief economist at Fannie Mae in Washington, said: "It shows the economy from a labour perspective is heading in the direction that the Fed wants. It gives the Fed some support for those looking an increase in rate by the end of year.
He added: "The Fed is still watching international development. The Bank of England made a pretty strong move this week, but the UK data so far don't suggest a strong downdraft with Brexit. A lot could still occur with European banks."
The largest growth in US employment - some 70,000 new jobs - came from professional and business sectors, in particular computing.
The healthcare industry also recruited heavily, taking on an additional 43,000 staff last month.
Mining companies recorded the biggest fall in new jobs, down by 6,000, and since reaching a peak in September 2014 employment in the sector has declined by 26 per cent.
Average hourly pay also rose, up 0.3 per cent between June and July, against a forecast of a 0.2 per cent rise. In the 12 months to July, pay increased by 2.6 per cent, which was the same annual rate of growth in June.
Trade deficit
While jobs data was lifting markets, investors also learned that the US trade deficit had widened to its largest position in 10 months.
The gap was driven by increasing oil imports and expanding orders of Chinese-made computers, mobile phones and clothing.
The Commerce Department reported that the deficit widened in June by 8.7 per cent to $44.5bn (£31bn), up from the revised May figure of $41bn.
The US trade deficit drags on national growth because it means US companies are selling less overseas.
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