Jobless rate drops to lowest level in almost three years
The U.S. economy created jobs at the fastest pace in nine months in January and the unemployment rate dropped to a near three-year low, offering a hopeful sign for hiring in the year ahead.:0074
Employers added a net 243,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department reported Friday -- that's the most since April and far better than economists' expectations for a gain of only 150,000.
?It?s a strong number, a very strong number, I would say,? said Vassili Serebriakov, a currency strategist at Wells Fargo Bank. ?It?s consistent with the broad improvement in the U.S. economic data, but I think the extent of strength in today's report is somewhat of a surprise, and this is a good sign for the U.S. employment market and the U.S. economy.?
The nation?s unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent in January from 8.5 percent in the prior month. The rate has dropped 0.8 percentage point since August and is now at its lowest level in nearly three years, having fallen for five consecutive months -- the first time that has happened since late 1994.
The decline in the jobless rate reflected large gains in employment in the separate household survey from which the jobless rate is derived. Job gains were widespread, with even the transportation and warehousing sector increasing payrolls.
The jobless rate is calculated based on a government survey. A separate survey calculates how many payroll jobs are added. Neither survey takes into consideration how many people are collecting unemployment benefits.
January saw the most jobs added since and April and May 2010, when 277,000 and 458,000 jobs were created. But those months were skewed by massive hiring for the census. Before that, the last month with more job creation was March 2006.
The upbeat tenor of the January jobs report was further strengthened by revisions to November and December payrolls data, which showed 60,000 more jobs created than previously reported. In addition, hiring was widespread across many high-paying industries. And average hourly earnings rose four cents, which should help to support spending.
The report also suggested that expectations of a slowdown in U.S. economic growth in the first quarter were not yet having an impact on companies' hiring decisions.
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The continued labor market improvement could be a relief for President Barack Obama who faces a tough re-election campaign this year.
Speaking at an event in Arlington, Va., Friday, Obama welcomed the strong January jobs report. But, he added, there are ?still far too many Americans who need a job.?
?The economy is growing stronger. The recovery is speeding up. And we have to do everything in our power to keep it going,? Obama said.
Obama also called on Congress to pass a payroll tax extension and avoid sabotaging the recovery.
?Now is not the time for self-inflicted wounds to our economy,? he said, describing his message to Congress as: ?Do not slow down the recovery that we?re on. Don?t muck it up.?
Economic data this week have certainly pointed to an improving economy.
Manufacturing grew at its fastest pace in seven months in January, and fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, showing companies are cutting fewer jobs. Also, retail sales increases last month, carmakers started the year with strong January sales and the U.S. economy expanded at a 2.8 percent annual pace in the final four months of last year. That was one percentage point higher than in the previous quarter.
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This is not good for the GOP
Mittster comes out and states that Obama has nothing to do with the economy getting better
and Obama had nothing to do with two bullets to
Osama Bin Ladens brainbob.:142smilie
The Newster is planning some really bad campaign ads . He will knock the Mittster off that high horse.
It really would be better for Newt to win the nomination.
