Fewer Jobs Than Expected Added in March

Washington, DC, April 6, 2012 -- The U.S. economy added 120,000 jobs in March, according to the Labor Department.

It was the fewest jobs created in five months and well below expectations.

Economists expected a 210,000 increase.

However, the unemployment rate fell to 8.2% from 8.3%, mainly because more people dropped out of the labor force.

Employment in March was hurt in part by a 34,000 decline in retail jobs.