The U.S. economy added 51,000 jobs in September, far below the 123,000 economists had expected, but figures for July and August were revised higher by 62,000, putting job growth about in line with estimates.
Housing starts in June were above the median forecast in a Reuters poll of a 745,000-unit rate, and readings for April and May were revised higher.
Figures for July and August were revised higher by 62,000, putting job growth roughly in line with estimates.
Friday's surge was fueled by a Labor Department report that said private employers' payrolls rose by 67,000 in August and that revised higher the number of private sector jobs added in June and July.
Sales growth in June was also revised higher.
While these numbers came in lower than economists had expected, the April numbers were revised higher from 32,000 new jobs up to 65,000 new jobs.
Yesterday, a survey of the US private sector showed firms hired staff at the fastest rate in three months in March, with February's reading also revised higher.
We lost 240,000 jobs in October, and September's losses were revised higher to minus 284,000.
To add to the surprising robustness of the job market, February's payrolls were revised higher by 16,000 and January's payrolls were revised higher by 16,000.
Overall permits fell to 911,000 in June, from 985,000 in May, which was also revised higher.
