U.S. job growth slowed more than expected in January after robust gains in the prior two months, but a 4.0% unemployment rate probably will give the Federal Reserve cover to hold off cutting interest rates at least until June.

US jobs growth slowed in January, according to the latest official figures, but the rate of unemployment declined. Employers created 143,000 jobs last month, compared with analyst's forecasts of about 170,000. However, December's jobs figure was revised up to 307,000.

Annual revisions to jobs data and disruptions related to the catastrophic Los Angeles fires and severe winter storms are likely to be reasons behind the slump in job gains.