The U.S. economy added 225,000 jobs in January and the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.6.
Economists had expected the economy to add 160,000 jobs. December’s figure was revised up from 145,000 to 147,000.
The unemployment rate edged up because the labor force participation rate increased, meaning the strong labor market drew more people into the workforce. The participation rate rose to 63.4 percent in January, the best rate since the last recession.
The employment to population ratio for prime age workers rose to 80.6 percent, the highest since 2001.
Mexican Consulates Worry That Trump Admin Review Could Lead To Closure
California 22nd Congressional district primary results: Rep. David Valadao advances to runoff
Hilton, Becerra, in the lead with votes still being counted in battle for California governor
California 11th district primary results: Wiener advances to general election to succeed Pelosi
South Dakota governors race remains up in the air as GOP contest goes to runoff
Supreme Court allows Alabama GOP-backed congressional map for midterms
Trump-endorsed Feenstra concedes to MAHA-backed Lahn in GOP governor primary upset
DOJ expands indictment against SPLC, alleging $4M secretly funneled to KKK and extremist groups
FBI charges 35 in West Virginia drug and firearms operation, launches nationwide summer crime initiative
Missing GOP congressman reveals he’s ‘more energized than ever’ to return to Washington
Bomb threat standoff at Bakersfield Chase Bank continues as negotiators work to release hostages
WATCH: Dem senators excuse Platner’s conduct at crisis huddle with embattled Maine candidate
Trump-backed candidate ‘confident’ Republicans will have great night in California: ‘Very excited’
Jill Biden Claims Joe Would Have Beaten Trump If Democrats Hadn’t Forced Him Out
Trump Signs Modified AI Executive Order Behind Closed Doors
The Department of Labor said that notable job gains occurred in construction, in health care, and in transportation and warehousing. Construction employment was up by 44,000, which likely reflected the unusually warm weather in much of the country during the month.
Manufacturing remained in slump territory, losing 12,000 positions for the month and remaining essentially unchanged year over year.
Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 7 cents to $28.44. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.1 percent.
Story cited here.
