US payrolls fell by 54000 and the official unemployment rate rose to 9.6 percent in August from 9.5 percent the previous month,according to the monthly employment report released Friday by the lapor department .


Friday's jobs report was consistent with other recent indicators of economic slump-a collapse in home sales , declining manufacturing activity , rising mortgage delinquency rates-that portend further increases in joblessness in the monthe a head .