US non-farm payroll posted an overall impressively strong set of data. Headline jobs rose 312k versus expectation of 178k in December. It’s also the highest level since February 2018. Prior month’s figure was also revised up from 155k to 176k. Unemployment rate rose to 3.9%, up from 3.7%. But that’s due to surge in participation rate from 62.9% to 63.1%. Average hourly earnings rose 0.4% mom, above expectation of 0.3% mom.
From Canada, employment grew 9.3k in December, above expectation of 5.0%. Unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.6%. RMPI dropped -11.8% mom in November. IPPI rose 0.8% mom.
