Nonfarm payrolls forecast increasing 400,000 in February Unemployment rate seen falling to 3.9% from 4.0% Average hourly earnings forecast rising 0.5% Average workweek seen climbing to 34.6 hours WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) – U.S. employers likely maintained a strong pace of hiring in February, pushing the labor market closer to maximum employment, but rising headwinds from geopolitical tensions could hurt business confidence and slow job growth in the months ahead. The Labor Department’s closely watched employment report on Friday is expected to show labor market conditions tightening further, with the unemployment rate resuming its downward trend and a shortage of workers continuing to drive up wages. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell this week described the labor market as “extremely tight,” and told lawmakers that he would support a 25-basis-point interest […]