US Stocks Rise on Jobs Report          12/06 09:19

   U.S. stocks jumped in early trading Friday after the government reported 
that employers added far more jobs than expected in November.

   NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stocks jumped in early trading Friday after the 
government reported that employers added far more jobs than expected in 
November.

   The Labor Department said employers added 266,000 positions, well above 
estimates of 184,000. The report also showed unemployment falling to a 50-year 
low. The strong report should help ease any doubts among investors that the 
U.S. economy remains healthy.

   The surprisingly good employment picture comes at the end of what started as 
a rough week for the market. Increased trade tensions and disappointing 
economic data sent the market to steep losses on Monday and Tuesday and the 
major indexes stayed in a slump through Thursday.

   The S&P 500 index is now on track to erase its losses for the week. 

   Technology and bank stocks led the gains. Micron Technology rose 3% and 
JPMorgan Chase climbed 1.7%.

   The solid jobs report sent bond yields higher, which banks rely on to charge 
higher interest rates on mortgages and other loans. The yield on the 10-year 
Treasury rose to 1.85% from 1.79% late Thursday.

   Real estate companies and utilities lagged the market as investors shifted 
money away from safe-play holdings.

   Steady job growth has been one of the bright spots in the economy, along 
with solid consumer spending. The latest employment report is also a welcome 
development following reports earlier this week that showed manufacturing 
continues to shrink and growth in the service sector is slowing.

   KEEPING SCORE: The S&P 500 rose 0.9% as of 10:10 a.m. Eastern time. The Dow 
Jones Industrial Average rose 270 points, or 1%, to 27,944. The Nasdaq rose 
0.9%. The Russell 2000 index of smaller company stocks outpaced other indexes 
with a 1.4% gain.

   European and Asian markets moved higher. 

   TRADE THAW: China said Friday that it is waiving punitive tariffs on U.S. 
soybeans and pork as negotiations for a trade deal with the U.S. continue. 
Investors were rattled this week when President Donald Trump said he wouldn't 
mind waiting until after the 2020 elections for an agreement. Wall Street has 
been hoping enough progress can be made on a deal to avert new tariffs on 
Chinese goods, such as laptops and cellphones, set to become effective on Dec. 
15.

   China has been seeking relief from some tariffs as part of the negotiations. 


(AG)