Economy Added Jobs in April

Total nonfarm payrolls expanded more than anticipated in April, adding 115,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate unchanged at 4.3% (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

• After jumping by 15,000 in March, manufacturing employment slipped by 2,000 jobs in April. 
• However, the sector still gained 16,000 jobs in the first four months of the year. 

Revisions to jobs numbers: Jobs numbers for the two previous months were also revised downward.

• The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for February was revised down by 23,000, from -133,000 to -156,000, and the change for March was revised up by 7,000, from +178,000 to +185,000,” according to BLS. 
• Together, employment in February in March was 16,000 jobs lower than previous reports suggested.
• The 12-month average stands at 21,000 job gains per month.