US jobs growth less than expected, nevertheless unemployment dips

US jobs growth was slower than expected in April, as employers added 164,000 positions.

The unemployment rate nevertheless fell to 3.9 per cent, the first time it has dipped below 4 per cent since 2000, reports BBC.

The average hourly pay of private sector workers increased 2.6 per cent year-on-year to $26.84 (£19.77).

Manufacturers and the professional and business services sector helped to drive April's job gains.

The US has added an average of roughly 190,000 jobs per month over the past year.