(Reuters) - U.S. job growth unexpectedly accelerated in December while the unemployment rate fell to 4.1% from November's 4.2% as the labor market ended 2024 on a solid footing, reinforcing the Federal Reserve's cautious approach to interest rate cuts this year.

US employers added a surprisingly strong 256,000 jobs in December — dimming hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates anytime soon. The blowout number from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics — a massive jump from the month before as hiring rebounded from strikes and major hurricanes — pushed back traders’ bets for the central bank to cut rates to October versus a previous consensus in June or July,

Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman on Thursday said she supported last month's interest-rate cut as the "final step" in the U.S. central bank's monetary policy recalibration, with rising inflation risks dictating a cautious approach ahead.

Key Takeaways The odds of the Federal Reserve cutting its benchmark interest rate this year fell after a jobs report Friday showed hiring in December blew past expectations.Strong job growth means less pressure on the Fed to cut interest rates to save the economy and prevent layoffs.