Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 252,000 in December, above expected increase by 241,000. In 2014, job growth averaged 246,000 per month, compared with an average monthly gain of 194,000 in 2013. In December, employment increased in professional and business services, construction, food services and drinking places, health care, and manufacturing.
The unemployment rate declined by 0.2 percentage point to 5.6% in December, beating predictions on decline to 5.7%, and the number of unemployed persons declined by 383,000 to 8.7 million. Over the year, the unemployment rate and the number of unemployed persons were down by 1.1% and 1.7 million, respectively.
After the data USD further strengthen against its major rivals. Euro is around 1.18 handle, Sterling is few points above 1.5140 area, while Aussie is around 0.8160 level, but markets are still very volatile and we can expect more clear picture in the next two hours.