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NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are mixed in early trading on Wall Street following mixed news on the February employment picture. The Labor Department reports that employers added more jobs than expected last month despite severe winter weather, but the unemployment rate ticked up to 6.7 percent. The Dow and the S&P 500 are trading higher while the Nasdaq is lower.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. hiring improved in February from the previous two months despite a blast of wintry weather, likely renewing hopes that growth will accelerate this year. The Labor Department says employers added 175,000 jobs last month, up from just 129,000 in January, which was revised up from 113,000. The unemployment rate rose to 6.7 percent from a five-year low 6.6 percent. More Americans started looking for work but didn't find jobs.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. trade deficit widened slightly in January as a rise in imports of oil and other foreign goods offset a solid increase in exports. The Commerce Department says the trade deficit increased to $39.1 billion, up 0.3 percent from December's revised $39 billion deficit. Exports climbed 0.6 percent, led by sales of U.S.-made machinery, aircraft and medical equipment. But imports rose by the same percentage, due to a jump in imports of petroleum. Imports of food and machinery also rose.
DETROIT (AP) — The federal government is ordering child seat maker Graco (GRAY'-koh) to explain why it didn't include 1.8 million infant seats in a recall for faulty buckles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Graco has until March 20 to explain why last month's recall of 3.8 million child seats didn't include infant seats, which have the same buckles that can get stuck on the child seats. Graco has said the child seat buckles get stuck because children drop food or drinks on them.
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Facebook plans to build a new data center at its server farm in northern Sweden. The company says new technology will be used that will double the speed of construction, including pre-made modular sections that are assembled on-site. The plant inaugurated last June is Facebook's first outside the United States. The location was chosen partly because of the cold climate, which is crucial for maintaining the servers' temperature.
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