Strong job growth points to COVID’s fading grip on economy

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER
AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a buoyant sign for the U.S. economy, businesses stepped up their hiring last month. It came as omicron faded and more Americans ventured out to spend at restaurants, shops and hotels despite surging inflation. Employers added a robust 678,000 jobs in February, the largest monthly total since July. The unemployment rate dropped to 3.8%, from 4% in January, extending a sharp decline in joblessness to its lowest level since before the pandemic erupted two years ago. Friday’s hiring figures were collected before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has sent oil prices jumping and has heightened risks and uncertainties for economies in Europe and the rest of the world.