U.S. Caps Best Year For Hiring in 15 Years, Adds 252,000 Jobs in Dec.

The U.S. capped its best year for hiring in 15 years with a healthy gain in December. The unemployment rate also hit a six-year low. Employers added 252,000 jobs in December. The Labor Department also revised higher by 50,000 the number of jobs that were added in October and November. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.6% from 5.8% in November. That's the lowest since 2008. The number of long-term unemployed, people who have been without work for more than six months - fell 27% last year, and the number of people working part time that would prefer full-time work dropped by 12%. Economists expect employers to continue adding more jobs this year. Tumbling oil and gas prices have put more money in consumers' pockets, enhancing their ability to spend. Goldman Sachs estimates that the additional spending on goods and services will lead to the creation of 300,000 more jobs this year than if oil prices remained at their June levels.