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                   US Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.9 Percent

   by Jim Randle

   The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.9 percent in January, the lowest
   level in eight years.

   Friday's report by the Labor Department also said the U.S. economy had
   a net gain of 151,000 jobs, which was lower than the past couple of
   months and lower than what most economists had predicted.

   Analysts say sectors of the domestic economy like retail, health care
   and professional services are doing well, with average wages rising 2.5
   percent over the past year.

   Lower energy costs are leaving more money in consumers' pockets, which
   helps the retail spending that drives most U.S. economic activity; but,
   falling oil prices are also causing layoffs in oil companies and cuts
   to investment in the energy sector, which could slow growth.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-unemployment-rate-falls/3178190.html