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WASHINGTON (AP) — Economists forecast another solid month of gains when the Labor Department issues its March employment data Friday.
A survey of economists by FactSet predicts that employers added 200,000 jobs in March, while the unemployment rate remained at an eight-year low of 4.9 percent.
Hiring at that pace would demonstrate that employers remain confident enough in the economy to add to their staffs, despite signs of sluggish growth. That suggests they see the sluggishness as likely to be temporary.
It could also provide a needed boost to growth for the rest of this year, especially if it is accompanied by a solid increase in pay. More jobs and higher incomes typically fuel consumer spending, which is a critical source of growth this year.
Consumer spending has faltered since last winter after healthy gains in 2015.
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