US productivity rises in Q2

US worker productivity rose more than expected in Q2 as hours increased at their fastest pace in 1-1/2 years, keeping labour costs under control.

The Labour Department said nonfarm productivity, which measures hourly output per worker, increased at a 0.9 percent annualised rate in April-June. First-quarter productivity was revised to show it edging up at a 0.1 percent pace instead of being unchanged.