Steady US job gains likely continued in February
Source: AP-Excite
By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER
WASHINGTON (AP) - Job growth probably continued at a modest but steady pace last month, buoyed by consumer spending and strength in the housing and auto industries.
Economists forecast that employers added 152,000 jobs in February, according to a survey by FactSet, about the same as in January. The unemployment rate likely dipped to 7.8 percent from 7.9 percent.
The Labor Department is scheduled to release the jobs report at 8:30 a.m. EST Friday.
More hiring is needed to swiftly reduce the unemployment rate, which has been stuck at 7.8 percent or above since September. Job gains of at least 100,000 a month are needed just to keep up with population growth and prevent the unemployment rate from rising.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130308/DA4STOM01.html
In this Monday, Feb. 25, 2013. Ann Oganesian, left, of Newton, Mass., pauses as she speaks with a State Dept. employee about job opportunities with the federal government during a job fair in Boston. The Labor Department is scheduled to release the jobs report at 8:30 a.m. EST Friday March 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
= new reply since forum marked as read
