The U.S. economy generated a solid 211,000 jobs in November, a number that topped expectations and may have turned the final key for the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates later this month.
In a much-anticipated report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said nonfarm payroll growth continued to build on the momentum from October. Wall Street has been watching the employment picture closely for clues as to whether the Federal Open Market Committee and Chair Janet Yellen will sign off on the first rate increase in 9½ years.
Fed fund futures were pricing in a 79 percent chance of a rate increase when the FOMC meets Dec. 15-16. The level was little changed from Thursday.
