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US hiring figures are 'deciding factor' for Fed's June rates quandary
The strength of US hiring will be the “deciding factor” in whether the Federal Reserve raises its interest rates next month, as policymakers weigh up an increase for only the second time since the financial crisis. Economists said that job market figures, to be published this Friday, will be the most important data for the US central bank to digest before it makes a decision on higher rates. The economy is expected to have added 160,000 jobs this May, in line with the gains made in the preceding month. James Smith, an ING economist, said: “Anything above last month’s 160,000 reading” should be sufficient ... (full story)