Too Much, Too Fast

March 7, 2025 The chaotic nature of the Administration’s implementation of tariffs, immigration policy, and federal government layoffs is creating considerable uncertainty for consumers and business leaders. Thus far the economic damage has been minimal, but if it...

Payroll Employment

March 7, 2025 Payroll employment climbed by 151 thousand in February after having climbed by 125 thousand in January and 323 thousand in December.  The job gain was roughly in  line with expectations, but the quality of the jobs has deteriorated.   Many of those jobs...

Private Employment

March 7, 2025 Private sector employment climbed by 140 thousand in February after having risen by 81 thousand in January and 287 thousand in December.  The job gain was roughly in  line with expectations, but the quality of the jobs has deteriorated.   Many of those...

Unemployment Rate

March 7, 2025 The unemployment rate rose 0.1% in February to 4.1% after having declined 0.1% in January and having fallen 0.1% in December.  The labor force fell 385 thousand in February while employment declined 588 thousand.  As a result, the number of unemployed...

Nonfarm Workweek

March 7, 2025 In any given month employers can boost output by either additional hiring workers or by lengthening the number of  hours that their employees work.  Payroll employment climbed by 151 thousand in February.  In the past three months the average increase...

Average Hourly Earnings

March 7, 2025 Average  hourly earnings rose 0.3% in February to $35.93 after having climbed 0.4% in January and 0.2% in December.  Earnings growth  in the past year has been 4.0%. While nominal earnings have risen 4.0% in the past year, inflation has risen fairly...