Job growth totals 253,000 in April, beating expectations even as the U.S. economy slows
Nonfarm payrolls increased 253,000 for April, beating Wall Street estimates for growth of 180,000.
The unemployment rate was 3.4% against an estimate for 3.6% and tied for the lowest level since 1969.
Average hourly earnings rose 0.5% for the month and increased 4.4% from a year ago, both higher than expected.