US unemployment rate ticks up to 4 pct in June

WASHINGTON - US unemployment rate ticked up to 4 percent in June from an 18-year low in the previous month, the Labor Department reported on Friday.

As more Americans entered the labor force but not all found jobs, US unemployment rate in June rose slightly from 3.8 percent in May, the lowest level since April 2000.

Meanwhile, non-farm payroll employment increased by 213,000 last month, beating economists' expectation of 195,000 and indicating strong job growth.

After revisions, job gains averaged 211,000 over the past three months, as the job market was approaching full employment.

Average hourly earnings of private-sector workers rose 2.7 percent in June from a year ago, in line with recent monthly readings, suggesting that wage growth remains modest.

Analysts said the June employment report gave comfort to Federal Reserve officials that steady hiring in the labor market would not trigger too much inflation worry for the moment. The central bank could stick to its plan to gradually increase interest rates.

The Fed raised its target range for the benchmark federal funds rate in June for the second time this year, and penciled in two more rate hikes in the second half of the year.

Market participants are expecting that the central bank will raise rates again in September and then hike in December.