The Labor Department released its jobs report for December, which showed the U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs last month, well above economists' expectations.

Friday’s jobs report was “even more important” than normal as the market adjusts its assessment of the direction of the economy.

The headline The economy added 256,000 jobs in December, and the unemployment rate fell a tenth of a percentage point to 4.1%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. Investors expected roughly 155,

The U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate edged down, the Labor Department said.

The U.S. labor market added 256,000 jobs in December, a strong showing at the end of 2024, as the labor market revved up toward the end of the year.

On Wednesday, private payroll firm ADP said that its employer survey for December found companies added 122,000 workers in the month, down from the 146,000 increase seen in November.

Companies in the private sector added 122,000 jobs in December, payroll processing firm ADP said on Wednesday. The figure is below economists’ estimates of 140,000 jobs.

The U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate edged down to 4.1%, the Labor Department said Friday. Last month’s gain in nonfarm payrolls was the biggest since March and well above the 155,

U.S. job growth unexpectedly accelerated in December while the unemployment rate fell to 4.1% as the labor market ended the year on a solid footing, reinforcing views that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates unchanged this month.

The Labor Department reported Friday that job growth increased in December, rising from November's total of 212,000.