New data from the Labor Department released Thursday reveals that employment in the United States rose more than analysts had predicted during June.
Non-farm payrolls increased by 147,000 jobs last month, following a revised gain of 144,000 jobs in May.
Experts had forecasted a more modest rise of 110,000 jobs, compared to the initially reported 139,000 for May.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate slightly improved, dipping to 4.1% in June from 4.2% in May, contrary to expectations of a slight rise to 4.3%.
In a separate Labor Department report, initial claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly decreased in the week ending June 28th, falling by 4,000 to 233,000 claims.
This contrasted with economists’ predictions that jobless claims would rise to 240,000 from the previously reported 236,000.
The four-week moving average of claims, a less volatile indicator, also declined to 241,500, down 3,750 from the prior week’s revised figure of 245,250.
Additionally, Commerce Department figures published Thursday indicated that the U.S. trade deficit widened in May, largely driven by a significant drop in exports.
The deficit grew to $71.5 billion, up from a revised $60.3 billion in April, surpassing forecasts of a $71.0 billion gap.
Exports fell 4.0% to $279.0 billion, while imports dipped slightly by 0.1% to $350.5 billion.