Wall Street surges as jobs report shows robust growth

Wall Street Rides the Wave of Job‑Booster Buzz After Apple’s Gloom

After a teetering dip triggered by a thorny warning from tech titan Apple, the markets have found a lift, thanks to stronger‑than‑expected job growth figures and a growing sense that trade talks with China might finally roar into action next week.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs—And They’re Even Paying More

December 2018: 312,000 new jobs added—more than any month in the past decade.
Average hourly wages: up 3.2% this year, running ahead of the 2.7% rise seen in 2017.
Unemployment slipped to a tidy 3.9%.
The monthly average of new positions this year sits at 220,000—three figures higher than 2017 but still shy of the record‑streak from 2014 and 2015.

“Real Donald Trump’s policies are working for America’s workers!” one GOP icon quipped, echoing the optimism that economic policy is hitting the mark.

Market Movers

Dow Jones Industrial Average: climbing 431.7 points to 23,117.95.
Top performer: Intel’s stock surging 2.7% to $45.70.
S&P 500: up 39 points, now at 2,486.96.

Why It Matters

A bump in job numbers often nudges investors confidence up. Strong employment signals the economy’s health, encouraging consumer spending and, in turn, corporate profits. With the promise of trade talks, the outlook for global supply chains and corporate earnings remains look‑good!