US adds 115,000 jobs in April, unemployment steady at 4.3%

The US Bureau of Labour Statistics reported that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 115,000 in April, with the unemployment rate holding at 4.3%. Job gains were concentrated in healthcare, transport and warehousing, and retail trade. The figure exceeded analyst expectations of 55,000, according to Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. Despite the positive data, experts warn of underlying weakness as job growth has fluctuated over the past year. The report may allow the Federal Reserve to maintain current interest rates amid inflation concerns driven by rising energy costs from the Iran war.