U.S. records healthy job gains in January, jobless rate unchanged at 4.1 pct

Payrolls in the U.S. rose in line with market expectations in January. Nonfarm payrolls were up by 200k. Gains were mainly seen in the private-sector hiring, which recorded a rise of 196k. The jobless rate continued to stay at 4.1 percent. Average hourly earnings were up 0.3 percent and accelerated to 2.9 percent year-on-year. This is the most rapid rate of wage gains since 2009.

Gains in payroll were widespread. It was led by construction, food services, health care and manufacturing. Goods-producing employment and services employment also saw healthy growth. The combined revisions to the November and December months saw payroll growth 24k lower than earlier estimates. However, growth in job has still averaged 192k in the past three months, a very healthy rate. Household survey for January incorporated updated population estimates. While the population, labor force, employment and unemployment were upwardly revised, the participation rate and the jobless rate were unaffected.

Meanwhile, house worked dropped in January by 0.6 percent. This is not positive for the economic growth; however, it might have been impacted by the brief government shutdown or the heavy winter storms that impacted the Northeast early in the month.

As the labor market in the U.S. tightens, new jobs will increasingly be filled by workers entering the labor force, noted TD Economics in a research report. Labor force participation is expected to improve further to sustain job growth. Sill, as this slack is absorbed, monthly payrolls gains are likely to decelerate over 2018, added TD Economics.

At 19:00 GMT the FxWirePro's Hourly Strength Index of US Dollar was neutral at 44.3848. For more details on FxWirePro's Currency Strength Index, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex

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