US job growth slowed sharply in June, according to data released by the Labor Department on Thursday, with employers adding far fewer jobs than economists had expected.
Non-farm payrolls increased by 57,000 in June, following a revised gain of 129,000 in May.
Economists had forecast an increase of 114,000 jobs in June. The department had initially reported that 172,000 jobs were added in May.
The unemployment rate, meanwhile, edged down to 4.2% in June from 4.3% in May, defying expectations that it would remain unchanged.
