The U.S. unemployment rate slipped slightly to 4.3 percent in March, according to the Department of Labor’s release on Friday in Washington. In February the figure was 4.4 percent, and the number of unemployed people fell from 7.6 million to 7.2 million during the same period.
The ministry reported that U.S. businesses added about 178,000 non‑farm jobs in March. New positions were created mainly in healthcare, construction, transportation, and logistics. Long‑term unemployment declined to 1.8 million from 1.9 million in February.
These employment statistics are closely watched by investors worldwide. A robust labor market coupled with high inflation makes interest‑rate cuts less likely. Yet stock market participants might welcome higher rates, as the attractiveness of savings accounts as an alternative to equities would diminish, and firms and other borrowers would gain cheaper access to credit.