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Online Stock Market Trading By Freddie Mooche - Senior Financial ColumnistThe Labor Department reported that 248,000 jobs were added in May but the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.6% due to the number of existing jobless workers.

The European Central Bank (ECB) decided to leave interest rates unchanged at 3.25% as expected at its meeting on Thursday. However, ECB%š Claude Trichet, stated that the ECB will be %'igilant% on inflation implying that a 0.25% hike will occur at the European Central Bank next's meeting in December. Despite this expected rate hike in December, the EUR saw only a slight rally against the USD as this rate increase at the end of the year has already been fully priced in. Meanwhile, strong economic data on Thursday including the region%š overall manufacturing index increase and the sharp fall in Germany%š unemployment rates in October, helped the EUR to gain further strength. Today, the only release coming from Europe is the Eurozone Unemployment Rate ( 00 GMT) for September which is estimated to remain at 7.80%. Nevertheless, the US Unemployment Rate and the NFP report will be the main triggers for the volatile market expected today.

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The economy in general is not in a buoyant state at the moment. Both the capital and the country’s unemployment rates have risen since 2002. Unemployment by the end of 2003 was running at 9.1% in Paris and there are said to be nearly 50, 000 homeless people on the streets and in the métro stations. The national unemployment rate is similar, standing at 9.6%.

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Markets are still reacting to Tuesday's Feds key interest rate statement, which left the interest rate unchanged at 5.25 %.

Stock Investing Game June 6, 2004 (AXcess News) Washington - The Labor Department reported that 248,000 jobs were added in May but the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.6% due to the number of existing jobless workers.While the unemployment rate remained unchanged the Bush Administration was bullish on the overall figures pointing out that the Labor Department had raised its previous estimates for March and April by a combined 74,000. When combined with May's jobless figure it meant an average gain of more than 315,000 jobs in each of the past three months -- a robust pace after six weaker months.

Many economists expect the central bank to hold back until later this year, when Fed officials could cut rates to combat rising unemployment.

Journal Prime Rate Street Wall The pace of job growth, if it continues, would save President Bush from becoming the first chief executive since Herbert Hoover to preside over a decline in jobs during a four-year term.President Bush said, "The May report shows that our economy is vital and growing." Bush spoke to reporters in Rome, his first stop on a three-day European visit.

The German unemployment rate fell to 9.8% from a previous 10.1% reading, the lowest level in 4 years.

Stock Market News Wall Street treated the job report with mild acceptance, with the DJIA rising 46.91 points to close at 10,242.82, while the interest rate on the 10-year Treasury bond remained flat.AdvertisementAnalysts said the growth since the end of last year provides evidence that Corporate America has regained the confidence that was missing during the jobless recovery that began in November 2001.

Stock Investing Basics The report validated Wall Street's view that the job market finally is healthy enough to permit the Federal Reserve to start raising interest rates for the first time since 2000.

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