US jobs data beats expectations for second month in a row
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- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported April non‑farm payrolls added 115,000 jobs, almost twice the forecast.
- Unemployment rate held steady at 4.3% in April, unchanged from the previous month.
- S&P 500 rose 0.8% after the report, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed flat.
- Thomas Ryan of Capital Economics noted strong retail and transportation hiring signals robust discretionary spending despite higher gasoline prices.
- White House hailed the data as proof the economy remains on a solid trajectory under President Trump.
Why it matters: Workers gain from continued hiring, while investors see the S&P 500 climb 0.8%, boosting portfolio values and reinforcing market confidence. The strong job numbers also support consumer spending, helping retailers and transport firms maintain revenue growth.
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