U.S. new jobs slide, unemployment rate at an 8-year low

The Non-Farm Payrolls report showed a surprising deceleration of jobs growth to 151 thousand in January, compared to December's 292K and expectations of 190K. 

Inversely however, the unemployment rate fell unexpectedly to 4.9%, the lowest since February 2008, and compared to expectations and last month's 5.0%. Average Hourly Earnings jumped 0.5% m/m in January, compared to December's flat result and forecasts of a 0.3% rise. 

Separately, The U.S. trade balance for December showed a deficit of $43.4 billion, higher than expectations of $42.9B, and November's deficit of $42.4B.