MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The S&P 500 Index, measuring the stock values of top 500 US companies, rose to a historic high after rallying nearly 1 percent to over 2,182 points. The NASDAQ Composite Index also reached a record level after rallying over 1 percent and surpassing 5,221 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up over 1 percent and reached 18,543 points.
Earlier in the day, the US Department of Labor announced that the country's non-agricultural sectors took on 255,000 employees in July, which is above previous forecasts of an 180,000-strong increase in the workforce. Figures for June have also been revised upward from 292,000 to 287,000. Unemployment remained constant at 4.9 percent, according to the data.
The employment report has reportedly driven experts and traders to consider a US Federal Reserve interest rate hike more likely since employment figures play a key role in the decision.
