The U.S. economy created 22,000 jobs last month instead of an estimated 75,000, confirming softening labor market conditions, according to the Labor Department report. The three major U.S. stock indexes initially rose and broke records following the data, as traders of futures tied to the Fed’s policy rate boosted bets that the U.S. central bank will trim rates in quick succession, starting this month, with a 50-basis-point easing now on the table.
