The major US stock indexes finished trading with an increase on the background of positive labor market data, which are preparing the ground for the first rate hikes this year. As the report of the Ministry of Labor showed, in February, job growth in the US increased more than expected, and wages steadily increased. According to the report, the number of jobs in the non-agricultural sector grew by 235,000 in February. Over the past three months, employment growth averaged 209,000 people. The sharp rise in hiring was accompanied by a steady increase in wages, while the average hourly wage rose by 6 cents, or by 0.2%. The salary growth in January was revised to 0.2% from 0.1%. The unemployment rate fell by 0.1%, to 4.7%. Economists predicted an increase in employment by 190,000.

Components of the DOW index closed mostly in positive territory (23 out of 30). More shares fell The Boeing Company (BA, -1.04%). The leader of growth is shares of General Electric Company (GE, + 2.17%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P index recorded an increase. The leader of growth was the utilities sector (+ 0.9%). Only the sector of conglomerates dropped (-0.1%).

At the close of trading:

Dow +0.22% 20,904.56 +46.37

Nasdaq +0.39% 5,861.73 +22.92

S&P +0.33% 2,372.79 +7.92