A construction worker fixes the sidewalk in New York, the United States, on Jan. 6, 2023. U.S. firms added 223,000 jobs and its unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent in December, 2022, according to data from the U.S. Labor Department published Friday. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. firms added 223,000 jobs in December, according to data from the U.S. Labor Department published Friday.
That beat analysts' estimates only by a hair, with economists surveyed by Bloomberg predicting that 200,000 jobs would be added.
While the jobs report showed lighter gains than expected, analysts doubt the news will make any significant impact on current Fed policy of keeping rates high to slow the labor market and kill surging inflation.
In Fed minutes published earlier this week, the central bank indicated that rates will remain higher for the foreseeable future, as the worst inflation in four decades shows no sign of significantly abating. ■
Workers unload goods in front of a store in New York, the United States, on Jan. 6, 2023. U.S. firms added 223,000 jobs and its unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent in December, 2022, according to data from the U.S. Labor Department published Friday. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)
A hairdresser helps a customer wash face at a hair salon in New York, the United States, on Jan. 6, 2023. U.S. firms added 223,000 jobs and its unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent in December, 2022, according to data from the U.S. Labor Department published Friday. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)
Baristas prepare orders at a Dunkin' shop in New York, the United States, on Jan. 6, 2023. U.S. firms added 223,000 jobs and its unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent in December, 2022, according to data from the U.S. Labor Department published Friday. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)
