Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. economy added 148,000 jobs in December, fewer than expected, although the unemployment rate remained at 4.1 percent, Friday's Bureau of Labor Statistics report indicated.
Economists expected higher growth after 252,000 non-farm jobs were created in November, CNBC reported Friday. The report said gains were seen in healthcare, manufacturing and construction, three categories that saw increases throughout 2017, but the loss of 20,000 retail positions expected during the December holidays slowed growth.