A survey by FactSet finds that U.S. companies likely hired at a modest pace in May but other reports suggest hiring could be weaker than forecast.
Economists surveyed by FactSet forecast that employers added
158,000 jobs in May while unemployment remained at 8.1 percent. The Labor Department report comes out this morning.
The survey underscores the slow but steady nature of the recovery.
Job gains of 158,000 would be an improvement from the average
135,000 jobs per month added in April and March. But it would be slower than the pace set from December through February.
The number of people applying for unemployment benefits has
risen to a five-week high, a sign layoffs may have ticked up.
