US Adds Less Jobs Than Expected, Jobless Rate Falls

The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 5.1 percent in August, its lowest level since April 2008, according to data released Friday.



The country gained 173,000 jobs compared to the forecast of 220,000, the Labor Department said in its preliminary report.



The July figure was also revised upward to 245,000 from 215,000.



The 173,000 figure is the smallest gain in five months for the economy, and far less than the 220,000 new jobs analysts had predicted.



Fed officials have said they will consider unemployment figures when evaluating the timing of interest rate hikes that may be announced during a Sept. 16-17 meeting.



A raise in rates that have been held at historic lows would be the first since 2006. - Ankara