Job growth lagged as the U.S. economy added 156,000 jobs in August and the unemployment rate rose slightly.
The U.S. economy added 156,000 jobs in August – missing analyst expectations of around 180,000 new jobs – while the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.4 percent, according to the monthly report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Average wages rose by just 0.1 percent, also less than expected.
Three things to know from today’s BLS report
1.Reactions to the report?
According to The Washington Post: “Gus Faucher, chief economist at PNC, said August’s relatively modest progress reflects no sign of serious trouble ahead. The labor market, he said, is tightening, which often makes it harder for employers to fill vacant positions.”