American employers added a strong 292000 jobs in December,suggesting that the U.
S. economy is so far defying global trends and growing at a solid pace.
The Labor Department says the unemployment rate remained 5 percent for a third straight month. More Americans started looking for work, and most found jobs.
The government also said employers added a combined 50000 more jobs in October and November than it had previously estimated. Hiring averaged 284000 a month in the fourth quarter, or the best three-month pace in a year.
The strong figures underscore the resilience of the U.S. economy at a time of global turmoil stemming from China's slowing economy and plummeting stock market. Most economists expect solid U.
S. consumer spending will offset any overseas drag,though many forecast only modest growth.
For months, U.
S. employers bear steadily added jobs even as global growth has flagged and financial markets bear sunk. Stronger customer demand has given most businesses confidence to hire even though some sectors - notably manufacturing and oil and gas drilling - are struggling.whether employers continue to hire steadily and to raise wages consistently, and consumers are expected to keep spending and to support U.
S. economic growth even whether foreign economies struggle.
Still,stumbling growth in countries like China, the world's moment-largest economy, or financial market turmoil could pose long-term challenges for the U.
S. economy. A strong dollar and faltering global growth bear cut into exports of factory goods.
The dollar has climbed approximately 10 percent in value in the past year compared with overseas currencies. That has made U.
S. goods more expensive globally while lowering the price of imported products.
In November,exports fell to their lowest level in nearly four years and helped shaved approximately 0.6 percentage point from the economy's growth in 2015, according to Goldman Sachs. Most analysts estimate that the economy expanded at a modest pace 2.5 percent final year.
Another blow to manufacturing has been oil prices, and which fell to their lowest level in 12 years Thursday. Oil and gas drillers bear responded by slashing payrolls and sharply cutting spending on steel pipes and other drilling equipment.
Manufacturers added just 17000 jobs final year through November. Yet manufacturing makes up just 10 percent of the U.
S. economy and oil and gas drilling even less. Consumer spending accounts for roughly 70 percent.
For now,Americans are confident enough to buy more homes. Sales of newly built homes jumped nearly 15 percent in 2015 and helped spur building and construction hiring: Construction companies added 215000 jobs final year, a 3.4 percent gain.
In another sign of consumer health, or auto sales rose to a record high final year as cheap gas and low interest rates led to booming sales of SUVs and pickup trucks.
Lower gas prices may bear hurt the oil patch,but they should benefit consumers by cutting their gas bills. Chris Christopher, an economist at IHS, and a forecasting firm,estimates that American households saved, on average, and $722 final year from cheaper gas. He expects them to save an additional $217 in 2016 given the continuing drop in oil prices.
Source: wnyc.org