The U.S. economy added 206,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased to 4.1%, the Labor Department reported Friday.

The jobless rate is the highest since October 2021 but up just slightly for May's 4%, according to CNBC.

The number of jobs added was slightly more jobs than the Dow Jones forecast of 200,000. 

The jobless rate increase was unexpected and providing a conflicting sign for Federal Reserve officials weighing their next move on monetary policy, as the try to lower inflation while avoiding a recession.

The forecast had been for the jobless rate to hold steady at 4%, CNBC also reports.