The great American jobs creation machine is firing on all cylinders, with February’s jobs figures showing far more strength than expected and both January and December being raised higher than previously reported.
The U.S. economy added 273,000 jobs in February and the unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5 percent, the government said Friday.
Economists had forecast 175,000 nonfarm payroll growth and the unemployment rate to tick down slightly to 3.5 percent from 3.6 percent the prior month.
Average hourly earnings were up by 3 percent compared with a year ago. The average workweek climbed a bit to 34.4 hours.
‘Shop With a Cop’ Sends Less Fortunate Kids on Mini Christmas Shopping Sprees With New Police Pals
The iciest moments of 2025: The 5 political feuds that froze Washington
A Growing Share of British People Are Returning to Religion – But Not Christianity
Trump lists accomplishments, says ‘Radical Left Scum’ are ‘failing badly’ in Christmas message
It’s Easy to Lose Hope, but Twitter/X Has Gotten Massive Victories We Never Would Have Gotten in the Past – and Even More Wins Are Coming
How US troops celebrate Christmas abroad
Here Are Some New Trump Tax Breaks That Could Give Republicans an Advantage in the 2026 Midterm Elections
The biggest political events of 2025
UFO secret files, drone swarms and nuclear-linked sightings stun experts in 2025
Pictures: You Might Have Missed the Brand New Trump Portrait That Came With the WH Christmas Directions
Notorious Raccoon That Raided Liquor Store Makes Headlines Again – It Turns Out He’s a Serial Offender
Comedians who took on the US culture in 2025
Trump’s five most controversial pardons of 2025
Scavenger hunts, Christmas mass, Cajun-fried turkey: Capitol Hill’s favorite holiday traditions
Nearly 20 states sue HHS over declaration to restrict gender transition treatment for minors
December’s estimate of payroll growth was revised upward by 37,000 to 184,000. January’s number was revised up by 48,000 to 273,000. That adds a total of 85,000 more jobs than had previously been reported putting the three-month moving average at 243,000 jobs
The labor market has been a bright spot for the American economy in recent months, with unemployment at or near 50-year lows and the economy continuing to add hundreds of thousands of jobs month after month. The strength of the labor market has boosted consumer sentiment and consumer spending, keeping the pace of economic growth stronger than in many of the other major economies around the world.
The coronavirus is widely expected to slow economic growth this year, although the impact may be short-lived if the outbreak is contained or fizzles out after a few months. The Labor Department said there was no sign that the outbreak had hurt employment in February. The strength of the labor market, however, may bolster the economy’s ability to withstand the pressure.
Story cited here.
