October Jobs Reports Blows Past Expectations

Washington, DC, Nov. 8, 2013 --The economy added 204,000 jobs in October, far surpassing expectations, according to the Labor Department.

Nevertheless, the unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent from 7.2 percent in September, likely due to the government shutdown.

Employers also added 60,000 more jobs in the previous two months than earlier estimated.

Employers added an average of 202,000 jobs from August through October, up from 146,000 from May through July. Private businesses added 212,000 jobs in October, the most since February.

Forecasters had expected 125,000 new jobs in October.