By Greg Robb
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - U.S. employment costs increased 0.5% in the fourth quarter, a slightly up-tick from a 0.4% gain in the previous month, the Labor Department reported Friday. The increase in the employment cost index was slightly above expectations of Wall Street economists. According to a survey conducted by MarketWatch, analysts were expecting a 0.4% gain. Benefit costs rose 0.5% in the quarter, while wages and salaries rose 0.5%. For all of 2009, the employment cost index increased a record low 1.5%. Economists said the weak trend is not surprising given high unemployment rate.
