The US dollar was mixed on Friday after data showed that the unemployment rate in the world’s largest economy rose slightly in November while gains in non-farm payrolls were broadly in line with expectations, keeping the US Federal Reserve on track to cut interest rates later this month. .
The number of non-farm payrolls rose by 227,000 jobs last month after rising by 36,000 jobs in October from 12,000 jobs.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected an acceleration in the pace of adding 200,000 jobs last month, and estimates ranged between 155,000 jobs and 275,000 jobs.
Bloomberg had forecast 225,000 jobs would be added, and some analysts cited that number to conclude that job numbers barely beat expectations, suggesting the Fed is unlikely to stop its monetary easing cycle.
However, the unemployment rate also rose to 4.2%, after holding steady at 4.1% for two consecutive months, according to the data.
In mid-day trading, the dollar fell below 150 yen after the data was released, and its last decline was 0.3% at 149.66 yen.
