By Jeffry Bartash, MarketWatch
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The U.S. added 200,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate fell to the lowest level in nearly three years in a fresh sign the economy is picking up and businesses are more willing to hire.
The increase in jobs last month — the fourth biggest gain of 2011 — suggests the U.S. is entering the new year with renewed vigor. Faster hiring puts more money in the hands of consumers and usually leads to an increase in spending. That’s a big deal since consumer spending accounts for as much as 70% of economic growth.
The unemployment rate edged down to 8.5% from an upwardly revised 8.7% in November, the Labor Department said. Unemployment has fallen fourth straight months.
Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-gains-200000-jobs-in-december-2012-01-06
