Economy, Jobs Added | featured news

A burst of hiring in December pushed the U.S. unemployment rate to its lowest level in nearly three years, giving the economy a boost at the end of 2011. The Labor Department said Friday that employers added a net 200,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent, the lowest since February 2009. The rate has dropped for four straight months

The report, slightly exceeding economists’ expectations, added to hope that hiring was finally on a steadier track.

Private employers add 83,000 jobs in June, more than double the rate in May but still below the numbers that would suggest a strong recovery.

Though the unemployment rate remained steady at 9.7 percent, the overall employment picture was greatly improved, with positive revisions to January and February.