Job creation was much stronger than expected in October.
The U.S. economy added 128,000 jobs for the month and the unemployment rate rose to 3.6 percent, higher than the month before but still near a 50-year low.
Economists had expected the economy to add 75,000 jobs, with forecasts ranging between 55,000 and 155,000, according to Econoday. That unusually wide range was caused, in part, by differing views of how the General Motors strike would hit employment at suppliers and related businesses.
Unemployment was expected to tick up to 3.6 percent.
100 day sprint to the midterms kicks off as Republicans and Democrats clash for control across the country
WATCH: Democrats blast Trump Saudi nuclear deal as GOP touts regional alliance
California authorities search for 2 children allegedly abducted by father, fear for their safety
At least 1 shot, 1 detained after reported active shooter at Texas mall: police
Federal appeals court rejects Trump bid to enforce mail ballot order ahead of midterm elections
Second House Discovered Related to Family With 16 ‘Almost Feral’ Children – Building Described as ‘Just Urine, Feces’
Armed man in tactical vest emerges from exploding Queens home before being shot by NYPD officers; 2 found dead
India’s education minister resigns after student protests over medical exam leaks
EXCLUSIVE: Alleged $32M COVID-19 fraud fugitive captured in Jamaica and returned to US, FBI says
Court checks Pritzker as Trump administration scores another immigration win
NYC 5-alarm fire injures at least 17 firefighters, others as blaze damages multiple apartment buildings
Katy Perry ‘appalled’ to see her song used on White House TikTok account
Transgender dolls to be available for Minnesota schoolchildren as young as 4 under Walz-backed program: report
Biden judge blocking Ethiopian deportations despite SCOTUS ruling clashed with ICE before
Fewer Gay Professionals Feel Being Gay Helps Their Career
Prior months were revised upward, indicating that the labor market has been much stronger than initial reports suggested. August’s initial 168,000 was revised up to 219,000. September’s soared from 136,000 to 180,000. Those revisions brought the three-month average up to 176,000.
The strength of the labor market was even more impressive because of the drag created by the GM strike and the government shedding workers it hired to conduct the census. The manufacturing sector shed 37,000 jobs in the month, many of which economists expect will be added back now that GM workers are back on the job. The government cut back by 17,000 jobs.
The pace of average hourly earnings rose by one-tenth of a percent to a year-over-year 3 percent gain. The average workweek was unchanged at 34.4 hours.
Story cited here.
