US unemployment falls to lowest level since March 2009

US unemployment posted a surprise fall in November, down from 9% to 8.6%, supported by an increase in non-farm payroll employment to 120,000 in November.

The upsurge was broadly in line with market expectations. Analysts had predicted an increase of 125,000 jobs in November, but unemployment was expected to remain unchanged at 9%.

The US Labor Department reported private companies created 140,000 jobs, while the public sector saw 20,000 jobs cut.

The Labor Department also revised non-farm payroll employment for October and September upwards. The October figure rose from 80,000 to 100,000, while September's number went up from 158,000 to 210,000.

The last time US unemployment fell below 9% was in March this year. This is the lowest the figure has been since March 2009, when unemployment dropped to 8.6%.