US stock indices rose in Friday’s trading following the release of the monthly jobs report, as investors assessed its implications for Federal Reserve policy.
Data released earlier today showed that the US economy added just 50,000 jobs in December, below market expectations of 73,000, while the unemployment rate declined to 4.4%.
Separately, the US Supreme Court is holding a hearing today to review the legality of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in April.
In this context, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would be able to offset any lost tariff revenue should the court rule against the measures.
Meanwhile, Federal Reserve official Steven Miran called for interest rate cuts totaling 150 basis points this year, arguing that such a move is necessary to support the labor market.
In market trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.6%, or 271 points, to 49,537 by 17:21 GMT. The broader S&P 500 gained just under 0.6%, or 42 points, to 6,964, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced by 0.7%, or 170 points, to 23,650.