unemployment rate

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>

Hurricanes, Strikes Result in Anemic Hiring Numbers

Employers added just 12K jobs in October, lowest since 2020

(Newser) - America's employers added just 12,000 jobs in October, a total that economists say was held down by the effects of hurricanes and a Boeing strike in particular that left many workers temporarily off payrolls. The report provided a somewhat blurry view of the job market at the end...

Unemployment Rate Takes Unexpected Jump

It's now 4.3%, highest since 2021; employers added a weaker-than-expected 114K jobs

(Newser) - The latest unemployment report is out, and it reaffirms that the once-booming US job market runs the risk of fizzling:
  • The number: Employers added 114,000 jobs in July, well below expectations of 185,000, reports CNBC . That's down from a revised figure of 179,000 in June; a
...

Employers Defy Expectations on Hiring

Latest report is much stronger than expected, and Wall Street isn't thrilled

(Newser) - The latest jobs report came in much stronger than expected, but that sign of continued economic strength isn't playing well on Wall Street:
  • New jobs: Employers added 272,000 jobs in May, well above expectations of 190,000, reports CNBC . The figure is also up sharply from April's
...

New Jobs Report Is Weaker Than Expected
US Hiring Slows
More Than Expected
May 3, 2024 7:51 AM CDT

US Hiring Slows More Than Expected

Modest numbers please Wall Street

(Newser) - The nation's employers pulled back on their hiring in April in a sign that persistently high interest rates may be starting to take a bigger toll on the economy, per the AP .
  • Main number: Employers added 175,000 jobs last month, down from a robust 315,000 in March
...

February Jobs Report Contained a Surprise

About 200K jobs were expected; the reality was higher

(Newser) - The February jobs report was an eagerly anticipated one, and it held a surprise. Economists had not expected a repeat of January's originally reported 353,000 new jobs, with most predicting the addition of 200,000 jobs last month. But February delivered 275,000 new jobs, a number the...

US Employers Keep Defying Expectations

They added 353K jobs in January, much higher than expected

(Newser) - A new report out of the Labor Department on Friday shows that American employers continue to hire at what the AP calls a "stunning" pace:
  • Employers added 353,000 jobs in January, well above expectations of 185,000, reports the Wall Street Journal . It's also higher than the
...

Hiring Once Again Defies Expectations

Employers added 216K jobs last month, higher than anticipated

(Newser) - The nation's employers added a robust 216,000 jobs last month, the latest sign that the American job market remains resilient even in the face of sharply higher interest rates. Friday's report from the Labor Department showed that December's jobs gain exceeded the 173,000 that were...

Labor Market Cools Off
Labor Market Cools Off
Nov 3, 2023 8:17 AM CDT

Labor Market Cools Off

Employers add 150K jobs in October, less than expected but still seen as a solid figure

(Newser) - The nation's employers scaled back their hiring in October, adding a modest but still decent 150,000 jobs, a sign that the labor market remains resilient despite economic uncertainties and high interest rates that have made borrowing much costlier for companies and consumers. Last month's job growth, though...

Jobs Report Absolutely Smashes Expectations

Dow futures dropped 200 points on the news

(Newser) - The highly anticipated September jobs report is out, and it shows employers added 336,000 jobs last month, blowing expectations out of the water. It's the biggest gain since January. The Wall Street Journal reports that economists were anticipating a gain of 170,000 jobs. The unemployment rate held...

New Jobs Report Suggests Rate Hike Is a Safe Bet

Employers eased up on hiring, but the labor market remains strong

(Newser) - America's employers pulled back on hiring but still delivered another month of solid gains in June, adding 209,000 jobs in a sign that the economy's resilience is confounding the Federal Reserve's drive to slow growth and inflation, per the AP . The latest evidence of economic strength...

Jobs Report Comes in Way Stronger Than Expected

Employers added 339K jobs in May, above estimates of 190K

(Newser) - The new jobs report is out, and it shows that American employers continue to hire workers at a pace that defies expectations, reports the Wall Street Journal . More:
  • New hires: Employers added 339,000 jobs in May, well above predictions of 190,000. Economists keep expecting to see a sharp
...

Hiring Cools Off a Bit, Still Remains Solid

Employers added 236K jobs in March, about in line with expectations

(Newser) - America’s employers added a solid 236,000 jobs in March, reflecting a resilient labor market and suggesting that the Federal Reserve may see the need to keep raising interest rates in the coming months, per the AP . The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, not far above the 53-year...

Jobs Report Is Out, and Market Isn't Happy

Hiring was stronger than expected, which will likely worry the Fed in regard to inflation

(Newser) - The new jobs report is out, and it came in stronger than expected despite the Fed's continued rate hikes. But in the good-news-is-bad-news nature of the market, Dow futures immediately fell because investors fear the robust hiring will keep the Fed on track to keep those rate hikes coming....

263K Jobs Added Last Month, Plus a Surprise Dip

Unemployment rate fell from 3.7% to 3.5%, matching a 5-decade low

(Newser) - America's employers slowed their hiring in September but still added a solid 263,000 jobs—a dose of encouraging news that may mean the Federal Reserve's drive to cool the job market and ease inflation is starting to make progress. Friday's government report showed that last month'...

Unemployment Claims Hit Highest Mark Since November

Despite strong job market, applications for jobless aid rose to 262K

(Newser) - The number of Americans who signed up for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level since November, though the US job market continues to show signs of strength. Applications for jobless aid climbed by 14,000, to 262,000 and now have risen five out of the last...

For Every Unemployed Person, 2 Jobs Are Available

It's a record-high proportion; new jobs figures for April reflect continued hiring

(Newser) - The economy may be threatened on a number of fronts—inflation, a volatile stock market , a war overseas—but hiring is apparently not one of them. The new Labor Department numbers for April are out, and they reflect continued job growth:
  • Jobs: Employers added 428,000 jobs in April, which
...

Hiring Streak in US Sets an 80-Year Record

We've had 11 straight months with gains of more than 400K jobs

(Newser) - Despite red-hot inflation , US employers kept hiring at a solid pace in March. The key numbers:
  • Jobs: Employers added 431,000 jobs for the month, coming in a bit shy of expectations of about 490,000. However, the Wall Street Journal points out this marks 11 straight months with gains
...

Jobs Report Suggests We're on the Road to Recovery

Employers added 678K new jobs, topping expectations

(Newser) - The monthly jobs figures are out for February, and they signal a return to "something resembling normal," reports the New York Times . A drop in coronavirus cases coincided with strong hiring and increased consumer spending. More:
  • Jobs: Employers added 678,000 jobs in February, topping economists' forecasts for
...

Jobless Claims in US Plummet to Lowest Level in 52 Years

Number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits drops to 199K, the lowest since 1969

(Newser) - The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plummeted last week to the lowest level in more than half a century, another sign that the US job market is rebounding rapidly from last year's coronavirus recession. Jobless claims dropped by 71,000 to 199,000, the lowest since mid-November...

A Swing and a Miss for September's Jobs Report

Just 194K jobs were added last month

(Newser) - US employers added just 194,000 jobs in September, a second straight tepid gain and evidence that the pandemic still has a grip on the economy, with many companies struggling to fill millions of open jobs. Friday's report from the Labor Department also showed that the unemployment rate fell...

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>
Most Read on Newser