1. U.S. gained 20,000 jobs in February, smallest increase in 17 months
U.S. employers added just 20,000 jobs in February, the smallest increase in 17 months, the Labor Department reported Friday. The increase fell far short of the expected gain of 172,000. The February figure represented a significant drop from the surprisingly large gain in January, which was initially reported at 304,000 but adjusted up to 311,000 on Friday. The unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent from 4.0 percent in the previous month. The tight labor market prompted companies to raise pay and benefits to recruit and keep workers, with average earnings rising 11 cents to $27.66 an hour. The yearly pay increase climbed to 3.4 percent from 3.2 percent, the largest jump since the end of the recession in 2009.
2. Costco shares jump after profits beat expectations
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3. Stocks fall further after China reports plunging exports
4. U.S. households' net worth fell in late 2018
5. Disney opening Star Wars land ahead of schedule
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