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Global stocks rise as US jobs cools rate talk

US job creation slowed in August

World stock markets rose Friday as analysts said weaker-than-expected US jobs figures indicated a Federal Reserve interest rate hike is still on the cards but probably not this month.

Europe's main markets soared and US shares were also up after the highly anticipated US jobs creation data revealed the labour market slowed in August.

But analysts said that although the employment data was likely not strong enough to spur an imminent rate rise, it revealed a steady overall jobs market in the world's biggest economy.

"We doubt that the US Employment Report for August was strong enough to trigger an interest rate hike at this month's FOMC (the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee) meeting," Capital Economics' David Rees said in a note to investors.

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"While employment growth was decent, stronger wage growth remained elusive," he added.

Unicredit's Harm Bandholz said he now expected the Fed to act in December.

"As the August numbers have tended to come in on the softer side in the past, we think that this mostly reflects seasonal adjustment problems rather than underlying weakness," he said in a note.

"The report thus leaves the Fed on track for a rate hike in December -- September seems to be off the table now."

A week ago US Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen told global central bankers that the case for a rate increase had "strengthened" in recent months but gave no clear timeline.

- 'Some concerns' -

Paris' CAC jumped 2.3 percent, followed by a 2.2-percent increase by London's benchmark FTSE 100 index, with the Dax in Frankfurt closing up 1.4 percent.

The US jobs data comes on the heels of Thursday's closely-watched ISM manufacturing gauge having hit an eight-month low.

The economy added 151,000 new positions in August, a sharp drop from July's revised total of 275,000 new non-farm positions and also well below analyst expectations.

The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.9 percent for the third month in a row, with the number of long-term unemployed unchanged at 2 million people.

- Oil rebounds -

In corporate news, Samsung said it would suspend sales of its latest flagship smartphone Galaxy Note 7 as reports of exploding batteries threatened to damage the reputation of the South Korean electronics giant.

Samsung -- the world's top maker of smartphones and ordinary mobile phones -- will also offer new devices for those who have already bought the large-screen smartphone, its mobile chief said.

Ireland's government agreed Friday to recommend an appeal against the EU's tax ruling on Apple but said it was recalling parliament early for a special session to debate the issue.

It follows a ruling earlier in the week by the EU which said Apple owes 13 billion euros ($15 billion), plus interest, in back taxes, putting Ireland at the centre of a row between Europe and the United States.

Oil prices rebounded as traders fished for bargain crude after the previous day's heavy losses, and eyed an upcoming meeting to tackle a global supply glut.

Approaching 1600 GMT on Friday, WTI for October delivery rebounded by $1.33 to $44.49.

Brent for November added a hefty $1.40 to $46.85 compared with the close on Thursday.

- Key figures around 1545 GMT -

London - FTSE 100: UP 2.2 percent at 6,894.60 points (close)

Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 1.4 percent at 10,683.82 (close)

Paris - CAC 40: UP 2.3 percent at 4,542.17 (close)

EURO STOXX 50: UP 1.9 percent at 3,075.86

New York - DOW: UP 0.4 percent at 18,496.41

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.16 points at 16,925.68 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,067.35 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.5 percent at 23266.70 (close)

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1160 from $1.1199 late Thursday

Dollar/yen: UP at 104.16 yen from 103.23 yen

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3300 from $1.3270