Student NamePublication: The Washington PostTitle: U.S. added 292,000 jobs in December; Unemployment Rate Steady at 5 Percent By: Chico HarlanDate: January 8, 2016

The U.S. economy added 2.65 million jobs in 2015. This is the second-best year for hiring since 1999 and the lowest point for unemployment in more than seven years. As a result, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time in almost 10 years. Lower oil prices have helped to reduce inflation by increasing purchasing power for consumers. However, despite the boosted economy wage growth remains tepid only increasing 2.5 percent last year. Job growth remains highest in construction and health care. A gentler foreign economic growth could be the reason for slower job growth in alternate job markets which rely heavily on exports. The current rate of growth in the American economy and job market could result in an additional hike in interest rates from the Federal Reserve come March.

This relates to Chapter 2, Section 1 where we discussed Labor Activities including employment.