WASHINGTON—U.S. worker productivity rebounded more than expected in the fourth quarter, curbing labor costs growth, but the coronavirus pandemic has distorted the data and prevented a clear trend.
The Labor Department said on Thursday that nonfarm productivity, which measures hourly output per worker, increased at a 6.6 percent annualized rate last quarter. Data for the third quarter was revised up to show productivity declining at a 5.0 percent rate instead of the previously reported 5.2 percent pace.
