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                US Unemployment Rate Remains Steady at 5 Percent

   by Jim Randle

   The U.S. economy had a net gain of 160,000 jobs in April while the
   unemployment rate held steady at five percent.

   Friday's report from the Labor Department was weaker than most
   economists had predicted.

   Job gains occurred in business services, health care, construction and
   financial activities.  Employment declined in retail and in mining,
   which includes an oil sector that has been battered by plunging
   commodity prices.

   Data show the number of unemployed people was little changed at 7.9
   million.

   Although fewer jobs were added in April, wage gains improved, with
   private-sector hourly earnings increasing by 8 cents.

   While the jobless rate remain unchanged at 5 percent, some people
   dropped out of the labor force. Labor force participation declined
   two-tenths of one percent in April from the previous month.

   Sustained slower hiring could disrupt Federal Reserve policymakers'
   plans to possibly raise interest rates this year.

   Following some weak economic data, "these disappointing numbers greatly
   reduce the likelihood of the Fed hiking rates this side of the
   presidential election,'' said Chris Williamson, chief economist at
   Markit.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-unemployment-steady-five-percent/3
   318353.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-unemployment-steady-five-percent/3318353.html