While data released by the Fed this week created an environment favorable for interest rate hikes, analysts assessed the current situation. While the August non-farm payrolls data from the US presented a strong picture in the headlines, analysts noted that when one-off effects are removed, the underlying growth in the job market remains much more limited. Non-farm employment increased by 162,000 in August, significantly exceeding the market expectation of 56,000. Data for previous months was also revised upwards by a total of 55,000, while the July employment change was updated from a 23,000 decrease to a 21,000 increase.