Payroll Surge Fuels Self-Sustaining U.S. Expansion: Economy

Job growth blew past expectations and the unemployment rate fell to the lowest level since before the financial crisis peaked six years ago, creating a firm foundation for a stronger U.S. economic expansion.

Payrolls rose by 288,000 workers following a 224,000 gain the prior month that was bigger than previously estimated, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The 1.39 million increase in employment over the past six months is the biggest over a similar period since early 2006.