The U.S. non‑farm payroll report for June showed a modest increase of 57,000 jobs, well below the 110,000 expected and the 129,000 previously revised figure. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, matching the forecast and slightly better than the 4.3% reported in April.
Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% month‑over‑month, in line with expectations, and 3.5% year‑over‑year, matching the forecast and up from 3.4% previously. The labor‑force participation rate slipped to 61.5% from 61.8%.
The data suggest a slower pace of job growth and a stable labor market, with implications for the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.