Close

Fed's Williams: September U.S. jobs reports had 'positive' news

October 8, 2015 5:25 PM EDT

SPOKANE, Wash. (Reuters) - U.S. government reports last week showing jobs growth had slowed actually contained some "positive" news, including a big decline in the number of part-time workers who really want full time work, a top Federal Reserve official said on Thursday.

Nothing in the report changes the narrative that the U.S. labor market is improving, San Francisco Fed President John Williams told reporters after a speech here. Many economists and investors took the weaker-than-expected report as evidence that the Fed is less likely to raise rates this year than had been widely thought.

Williams said the decision not to raise rates in September was for him a "close call," with good arguments both in favor of and against a rate hike.

(Adds dropped words in first paragraph)

(Reporting by Ann Saphir)



Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

Fed, Forex, Reuters