The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported that the country added 236,000 jobs in March, slightly below economist forecasts for 239,000. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 3.5% from 3.6% in February, beating expectations for 3.6%. February's gain of 311,000 jobs was also revised higher to 326,000. The report is the final one the US Federal Reserve will see ahead of its May meeting, at which it will decide whether to continue tightening monetary policy or pause its series of rate hikes. Short-term rate futures markets were pricing in a two-in-three chance the Fed would pause in May.

(By Stephen Alpher)