S&P 500 ends higher as jobs data fuel rate-hike optimism

Unofficially, the S&P 500 climbed 0.18% to end at 4,515.77 points, the Nasdaq declined 0.02% to 14,031.82 points, while Dow rose 0.33% to 34,837.71 points. — Reuters

BENGALURU: The S&P 500 ended higher on Friday after a jump in unemployment cemented expectations of a pause in interest rate hikes this month, while shares of streaming firms tumbled due to a rate dispute between Disney and Charter Communications.

The Labour Department's report showed the August unemployment rate rose to 3.8% while wage growth slowed. Nonfarm payrolls rose more than expected, though data for July was revised lower to 157,000 job additions.