Better than expected jobs news from Spain is adding to hopes of a sustained economic turnaround.<br /><br />The unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in two years between April and June. <br /><br />More than 400,000 people started working and job creation in the services sector was particularly strong. <br /><br />Unemployment fell to 24.5 percent of the workforce from 25.9 percent in the previous quarter.<br /><br />While the vital tourist season always boosts hiring at this time of year, the seasonally adjusted numbers were also positive with the jobless totals falling for the fifth straight quarter.<br /><br />“These figures are much better than expected and while there’s an important seasonal element, seasonally adjusted figures are also strong,” said Jose Luis Martinez, economist at Citi in Madrid.<br /><br />“I have the feeling that there has been a very sharp halt in activity in the last two years, maybe more than is rational, and that’s starting to normalise.”<br /><br />with Reuters
