Payrolls Rise More than Forecast; Unemployment Ticks Up to 4.5%

.S. payrolls rose jumped by 132,000 in November but the unemployment rate inched up to 4.5% from 4.4%, the Labor Department said Friday.

The jobs gain followed a 79,000 rise in September, which was less than originally reported.

he level of additional jobs was above analysts’ forecasts 100,000 new jobs, Bloomberg reported.

Service-industry employment, which includes retailers, banks and government agencies, rose 172,000 last month, following an 141,000 increase in October.

The unemployment-rate gauge is based on a survey of households. The number of payroll jobs added is determined by a separate survey of business and government establishments.

Because employment levels drive so much economic activity, an increase in employment can help consumer confidence and spending patterns, which affect trucking demand.