US non-farm payrolls increased by 151k in January, much lower than Dec's 252k rise

FXStreet - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported US non-farm employment in the month of January increased by 152k, much lower than 292k increase seen in December. Employment rate fell to 4.9 per cent. Job gains occurred in several industries, led by retail trade, food services and drinking places, health care, and manufacturing. Employment declined in private educational services, transportation and warehousing, and mining.

The labor force participation rate, at 62.7 percent, was little changed. The employment-population ratio (59.6 percent) changed little over the month but was up by 0.3 percentage point since October. In January, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm
payrolls increased by 12 cents to $25.39. Over the year, average hourly earnings have risen by 2.5 percent.