US firms create 288,000 jobs

US firms added 288,000 workers to payrolls in April, exceeding the highest forecast, and the unemployment rate fell to 5.6%. Jobs were added in manufacturing, construction and temporary help services.

The increase follows a revised gain of 337,000 jobs in March that was larger than estimated last month, the Labour Department reported in Washington.

Manufacturers added jobs for a third straight month, after revisions to February and March.