Data released today, Friday, in the United States showed mixed performance in the US labor market data during last February, as non-farm employment increased by 311 thousand jobs, better than market expectations which indicated an increase in the indicator by about 224 thousand jobs. The previous reading had recorded the addition of about 517 thousand jobs during last January.

On the other hand, the US unemployment rate rose to 3.6% during the same period, while expectations and the previous reading indicated that the indicator would remain stable at 3.4% as well.

In addition, the average hourly wage rose by 0.2% during last February, less than market expectations which indicated the indicator would rise by 0.3%. The previous reading had recorded wage growth of about 0.3% during last January.

The US labor market data is considered the main monthly indicator that measures economic activity; as it includes all the main economic sectors. Moreover, many other economic indicators depend on its data. The indicator’s data reflects labor market performance as well as income and productivity rates.

Below are the details of the US labor market data released today:

Employment in the hospitality and leisure sector increased by about 105 thousand jobs.
Employment in the retail sector increased by about 50 thousand jobs.
Employment in the government sector increased by about 46 thousand jobs.
Employment in the service and professional sector increased by about 45 thousand jobs.
Employment in the healthcare sector increased by about 44 thousand jobs.
Employment in the construction sector increased by about 24 thousand jobs.
The social assistance sector added about 19 thousand jobs.
Employment in the information sector decreased by about 25 thousand jobs.
The transport and storage sector lost about 22 thousand jobs.
Employment in the mining, oil extraction, industrial sector, wholesale trade, financial services, and some other services sectors did not change much.