01.08.16
The US economy isn't slowing after all; in fact, the Labor Department said the US added 292,000 jobs in December. Moreover, job growth averaged 284,000 jobs in the final three months of the year, the fastest pace in nearly a year.
Economists had expected job growth to come in at 215,000 for December. The gain is expected to trigger an interest rate hike in March, even as analysts estimate the US economy's annual growth slowed from 2% in Q3 to 1% in Q4. The market expects the Fed to hike twice in 2016 while the Fed’s baseline forecast calls for four rate hikes.
Economists had expected job growth to come in at 215,000 for December. The gain is expected to trigger an interest rate hike in March, even as analysts estimate the US economy's annual growth slowed from 2% in Q3 to 1% in Q4. The market expects the Fed to hike twice in 2016 while the Fed’s baseline forecast calls for four rate hikes.