The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report moments ago showing that nonfarm payrolls (NFP) rose by only 57,000 jobs in June, compared to 172,000 in May. This was below expectations of 115,000 new jobs.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell slightly in June, by 0.1 percentage points, to 4.2%, while the labor force participation rate declined to 61.5% from 61.8%.

The average hourly wage growth was steady in June at 0.3% month-over-month, but rose to 3.5% year-over-year, compared to 3.4% in May.

By sector, the goods-producing sector added 10,000 jobs, while the manufacturing sector added 3,000. The construction sector added 11,000 jobs, while the private services sector added 39,000 jobs in June. The health and social services sector led the private sector with an increase of 46,000 jobs, followed by the professional and business services sector with 36,000 jobs.