Fed faces fresh pressure to delay rate rise as jobs data disappoints

Figures below analyst expectations

The US added 173,000 jobs in August, the Department of Labor said today in its last employment report before September's interest rate decision by the Federal Reserve.

The figure falls well below the 217,000 new jobs analysts had predicted for last month, as well as the 215,000 jobs created in July. However, the department said August figures tend to be revised higher following the initial release. Meanwhile, the US unemployment rate fell from 5.3% to 5.1% - its lowest rate since April 2008. Following the news, the Dow Jones fell 1.2% while the S&P 500 was down 1.3% as of 2.45pm. However, the dollar remained unaffected by the announcement, up 0.1%. Job gains occurred in healthcare, social assistance and financial activities, while employment decl...