Employers added 263,000 jobs in April, another surprisingly strong month of hiring. The unemployment rate fell to 3.6%, the lowest level since December 1969.
Indications of strength of the labor market could be found throughout the report. The average hourly wage was up 3.2% compared to a year ago, well above the 1.9% rise in prices.
2. Buffett likes Amazon: Warren Buffett has said for years that "we missed it" on Amazon (AMZN). Not anymore.
Buffett revealed on Thursday that Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA) has been buying Amazon shares, noting that the details will be disclosed in a report to the Securities and Exchange Commission later this month.
"One of the fellows in the office that manage money ... bought some Amazon," Buffett told CNBC, referring to investment managers Ted Weschler and Todd Combs.
Buffett has made no secret of his admiration for Amazon and Jeff Bezos, repeatedly praising the company and its chief executive during previous annual meetings of Berkshire Hathaway shareholders.
"Yeah, I've been a fan, and I've been an idiot for not buying [Amazon]," Buffett told CNBC. Berkshire Hathaway's next annual meeting is Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska.
3. European results: Shares in HSBC (HSBC), Europe's largest bank by assets, rose more than 2% in London after it posted a 31% jump in profit. The increase was powered by retail banking and wealth management, while its trading business struggled.
France's Societe Generale (SCGLF) reported that its profits fell 26% to €631 million ($705 million) in the first quarter. The bank announced last month that it would cut 1,600 jobs as part of a turnaround plan.
Shares in Adidas (ADDDF) advanced 7% in Frankfurt to a record high after the sportswear maker reported a 17% increase in first quarter operating profits. The company said online sales were up 40%.
4. Global market overview: US stock futures were higher.
European markets opened mixed. Most stocks markets in Asia closed out the week with gains.
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