U.S. stock-index futures rallied after larger-than-forecast growth in jobs tempered concern that the economy was slowing.
Payrolls climbed by 103,000 workers after a revised 57,000 increase the prior month that was more than originally estimated, Labor Department data showed today in Washington. The median forecast was for a rise of 50,000. The jobless rate held at 9.1 percent.
Before the employment data futures fell as Moody's has downgraded 12 U.K. financial institutions, citing the lowering or removal of government support.