Employers added 142,000 jobs in August, rebounding from prior month

Employers added 142,000 jobs in August, reflecting a rebound from weak hiring in the prior month that unsettled markets and raised concerns about cracks in the U.S. economy. 

Still, the number was lower than the 160,000 new jobs forecast by economists surveyed by FactSet. Unemployment eased slightly to 4.2%, in line with expectations, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In July, employers added 114,000 jobs, far fewer than economists had forecast, while the unemployment rate jumped to 4.3%.