U.S. Economy Adds 242,000 Jobs, Unemployment Rate Flat At 4.9 Percent In Feb. 2016

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in February 2016, the U.S. economy added 242,000 jobs while the unemployment rate stayed flat at 4.9 percent.

Employment gains occurred in health care and social assistance, retail trade, food services and drinking places, and private educational services. Job losses continued in mining.

Average hourly earnings unexpectedly declined, according to Bloomberg,  the first monthly drop in more than a year.