The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its labour market data today. U.S. companies added 288,000 jobs in June, exceeding expectations for an increase by 211,000 positions, after a gain of 224,000 jobs in May. May's figure was revised up from a rise of 217,000 positions.

The unemployment rate in the U.S. dropped to 6.1% in June from 6.3% in May. That was the lowest level since September 2008. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 6.3%.

These figures are signs of the strength of the U.S. labour market. Despite of the U.S. economy's contraction in first quarter, the Federal Reserve may hike its interest rate sooner as expected. Analysts expect the first interest rate hike mid-2015.

The U.S. economy contracted 2.9% in the first quarter. The contraction was caused by the extremely cold winter in the U.S. But recently released figures show that the U.S. labour market and U.S. housing market gain momentum.