April Jobs Report Adds 177,000 Jobs, Unemployment Steady at 4.2%

The U.S. economy added 177,000 jobs in April, surpassing economists’ expectations and easing fears of an imminent recession. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2%, with little change in the labor force participation rate and employment-population ratio. Job gains were notable in health care, transportation, warehousing, and financial activities, while federal government jobs declined slightly. Revised figures for February and March showed downward adjustments, but overall job growth continues to indicate resilience in the labor market. The strong report sparked optimism among investors, leading to a positive reaction in stock futures, and prompted analysts to suggest the Federal Reserve can remain patient on interest rate decisions. Although some risks remain, the data suggest the U.S. economy is stable and that recession concerns can be set aside for now.