The major stock indices closed solidly higher with the NASDAQ index leading the way. The US jobs data was stronger than expectations but with the unemployment rate falling to 4.1%. The nonfarm payroll rose by 147K- higher than the 110K estimate
Total nonfarm payrolls: +147,000
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Total private: +74,000
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Goods-producing industries: +6,000
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Mining & logging: –2,000
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Construction: +15,000
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Manufacturing: –7,000
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🏛️ Government
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Total government: +73,000
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State government: +47,000 (~+40K in education)
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Local government education: +23,000
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Federal government: –7,000
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🏥 Health Care & Social Assistance
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Health care: +39,000
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Hospitals: +16,000
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Nursing & residential care facilities: +14,000
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Social assistance: +19,000 (mainly individual & family services +16K)
🔧 Other Major Industries
Minimal or no change in:
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Wholesale trade
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Retail trade
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Transportation & warehousing
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Information
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Financial activities
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Professional & business services
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Leisure & hospitality
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Other services
🧭 Key Highlights
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Government hiring accounted for nearly 50% of the total job increases.
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Private-sector gains were modest and the weakest since Oct 2024, led by healthcare and social assistance.
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Manufacturing posted another job loss, signaling sectoral weakness.
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Construction showed strength with +15K jobs added.
Bottom line: while the headline +147K jobs looks solid, the bulk of employment growth remains concentrated in government (especially education) and healthcare, with many other sectors showing little to no momentum.
The final numbers are showing:
- Dow industrial average rose e 344.11 points or 0.77% at 44828.53
- S&P index rose 51.93 points or 0.83% at 6279.35.
- NASDAQ index rose 207.97 points or 1.02% at 20601.10.
- Russell 2000 rose 22.65 points or 1.02% at 2249.03.
For the shortened trading week, the Dow and small cap Russell 2000 led the way. Recall, Tuesday saw the Nasdaq fall -0.82%.The % changes for the week showed:
- Dow industrial average rose 2.30%
- S&P index rose 1.72%
- NASDAQ index rose 1.62%
- Russell 2000 rose 3.52%
for the trading year:
- Dow +5.37%
- S&P index +6.76%
- NASDAQ index +6.68%
- Russell 2000 +0.84%
This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.