US employers add 178K jobs in March in stronger-than-expected report

Hiring in March was surprisingly strong, signaling the labor market was stabilizing as the Iran war continues – though economists have warned higher energy prices from the conflict could spook employers and keep the Fed from cutting interest rates.

US employers added 178,000 jobs in March – above expectations of 59,000 added jobs and a rebound from a decline of 92,000 the previous month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday.