India, Jan. 9 -- The Labor Department released a closely watched report on Friday showing employment in the U.S. increased by less than expected in the month of December.

The report said non-farm payroll employment rose by 50,000 jobs in December after climbing by a downwardly revised 56,000 jobs in November.

Economists had expected employment to rise by 60,000 jobs compared to the addition of 64,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month.

The Labor Department also said the loss of jobs in October was revised to 173,000 from the previously reported 105,000.

"The economy is growing, but unevenly, and employers certainly appear to be cautious about adding additional workers, as evidenced by the still very slow hiring rate in th...