The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report moments ago showing that the US economy added 50,000 jobs in December, compared to a revised figure of 56,000 jobs in November (originally reported as 65,000). Expectations had anticipated an increase of 66,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell slightly in December, by 0.02 percentage points, to 4.4%, down from 4.6% in November. This was better than expected, coinciding with a decline in the labor force participation rate to 62.4% from 62.5%.

Earnings rose by 0.3% month-on-month in December, up from 0.1% in November, matching expectations. Year-on-year growth also increased to 3.8%, compared to 3.5% in November.

In terms of sectors, the goods production sector lost about 21,000 jobs, while the manufacturing sector lost 8,000 jobs and the construction sector lost 11,000 jobs. In contrast, the services sector added 58,000 jobs in December, with the health care and social assistance sector adding 38,000 jobs and the transport and storage sector losing 6,000 jobs.