Hiring kept booming in February but wage gains slowed, signaling that the U.S. economy remains robust as inflation edges lower.Employers added a seasonally adjusted 275,000 jobs last month, according to the Labor Department, exceeding economists’ expectations. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9%. That was higher than the 3.7% economists had projected.

Average hourly earnings rose 0.1% from the previous month, below Wall Street’s expected 0.2%, and a significant slowing from a revised 0.5% in January.

While hiring continued at a brisk pace in February, the Labor Department revised lower its readings from the previous two months. The economy added 229,000 jobs in January, down from the 353,000 positions officials had estimated last month.

Labor-force participation held steady for the third consecutive month.

Stock futures rose slightly after the Labor Department report, reflecting investors’ mounting confidence that Washington can continue slowing inflation without inhibiting growth. Treasury yields, which fall as prices rise, held overnight declines.

Source: Hiring Boom Continues With 275,000 Jobs Added – WSJ