US posts job gains but economic strains remain

WASHINGTON — U.S. employment increased more than expected in April, pointing to labor market stability and reinforcing expectations the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates unchanged for some time as the war with Iran fans inflation.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 115,000 jobs last month after an upwardly revised 185,000 advance in March, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. Despite the second straight month of strong job growth, strains remained and economists warned the labor market was not out of the woods yet.

The number of people working part-time for economic reasons increased by the most in 14 months and there were more multiple-job holders. Household employment decreased for a fourth consecutive month, offset by a continued contraction in the labor force, keeping the unemployment rate unchanged at 4.3% after rounding.