US Jobs Growth Slows as Tariff Uncertainty and Market Volatility Persist
February's weaker-than-expected jobs report and rising unemployment rate contribute to economic concerns, while key corporate developments impact stocks.
- The US added 151,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in February, falling short of the projected 170,000, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.1%.
- Major stock indexes showed slight gains after opening, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all recovering modestly from recent declines.
- Broadcom shares surged over 9% following strong earnings and a 77% increase in AI chip sales, signaling continued growth in the AI sector.
- Walgreens announced a $10 billion deal to go private, with Sycamore Partners offering $11.45 per share in cash and potential additional payouts from asset sales.
- Tariff policy uncertainty, including President Trump's fluctuating tariff decisions, has contributed to market instability and investor anxiety.