NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The April employment report pointed to a bullish Friday for investors, who believe the latest reading may quiet concerns about slowing U.S. economic growth.

Immediately after the 8:30 a.m. ET report, U.S. stock futures rose, indicating a higher opening for stocks.

U.S. employers created a surprisingly large 274,000 new jobs in April and added more workers in each of the two preceding months than first thought, the Labor Department said Friday in a report that may ease fears about economic growth.

The unemployment rate, however, which is calculated from a separate survey, was unchanged at 5.2 percent in April.

Economists surveyed by Briefing.com forecast a gain of 170,000 jobs, following a 110,000 job increase in the March report. The unemployment rate was forecast to stay at 5.2 percent.

The strong report should come as positive news for financial markets nervous about recent data indicating a slowing in economic activity. The gain in wages may also call into question whether the Federal Reserve will be able to stick to its campaign of smaller, "measured" interest-rate rises to keep inflation in check.

Futures also rose after General Electric (Research) announced it was raising its second quarter guidance and also restating income $381 million higher from 2001 through the first quarter of 2005 due to a review of its accounting practices. That represented a 0.6 percent increase in its reported earnings over that period.

Shares of GE gained 15 cents to $36 on Inet in pre-market trading following the announcement.

After the jobs report, Treasury prices retreated, with the yield on the 10-year note rising to 4.23 percent from 4.15 percent late Thursday. The dollar gained ground on the euro and the yen.

Oil prices were higher. The June light crude contract gained 45 cents to $51.28 a barrel in electronic trading, while the June contract for Brent crude rose 47 cents to $51.60.

Major markets in Asia closed higher Friday ahead of the U.S. jobs report. Major European markets were mixed in early trading, with London trading slightly higher after Prime Minister Tony Blair won a third term in elections Thursday, while markets in Paris and Frankfurt were lower.

For a more detailed look at the markets before the open, click here.