US workplaces unexpectedly cut 92,000 jobs as unemployment rate climbs to 4.4%

American employers unexpectedly cut 92,000 jobs last month, a sign that the labor market remains under strain. The unemployment rate jumped up to 4.4%.

Hiring deteriorated from January, when companies, nonprofits and government agencies added a healthy 126,000 jobs, the Labor Department reported Friday. Economists had expected 60,000 new jobs in February.