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The U.S. economy lost fewer jobs than expected last month as the unemployment rate dropped for the first time since August.
     The Labor Department reports the number of jobs fell only 19,000, after a decrease of 182,000 in April, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent. The report indicates the manufacturing sector of the economy remains weak as job losses mount, but service sector employment remains stable.
     The slowing economy has forced many companies to change their hiring plans. A recent survey of 16,000 U. S. companies showed only 27 percent plan to add workers in the next three months, down from 35 percent a year earlier.
     Federal Reserve policymakers have lowered interest rates several times this year in an effort to stimulate the economy and avoid recession.