235K New Jobs in 1st Full Trump Measure

U.S. employers added a strong 235,000 jobs in February—the first full month measured under the new Trump administration. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.7 percent, and average hourly wages increased 0.2 percent. Initial jobless claims reached a 44-year low last week, and economists see the market as very close to full employement. The report, which slightly exceeded analysts’ expectations, is viewed as the final go-ahead for the Federal Reserve to raise its benchmark interest rate when it convenes next week.