Haver Analytics
Haver Analytics
Global| Feb 07 2014

U.S. Payroll Employment Growth Disappoints Again Though Jobless Rate At New Low

Summary

Nonfarm payrolls grew 113,000 (1.7% y/y) during January following gains of 75,000 and 274,000 during the prior two months, initially reported as 74,000 and 241,000. The rise disappointed expectations for a 185,000 increase. The [...]


Nonfarm payrolls grew 113,000 (1.7% y/y) during January following gains of 75,000 and 274,000 during the prior two months, initially reported as 74,000 and 241,000. The rise disappointed expectations for a 185,000 increase. The unemployment rate fell to 6.6%, versus expectations for 6.7%, the lowest level since October 2008. The total jobless rate, including workers who were marginally attached and part-time for economic reasons, declined to 12.7%, the lowest level since November 2008.

The figures referenced above are available in Haver's USECON database. Additional detail can be found in the LABOR and in the EMPL databases. The expectation figures are from Action Economics and are in the AS1REPNA database.

Employment: (M/M Chg., 000s) Jan Dec Nov Y/Y 2013 2012 2011
Payroll Employment 113 75 274 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.2%
 Previous -- 74 241 -- 1.6 1.7 1.2
 Manufacturing 21 8 35 0.8 0.7 1.7 1.7
 Construction 48 -22 32 3.1 3.3 2.1 0.2
 Private Service Producing 66 102 204 2.1 2.2 2.2 1.9
 Government -29 -14 2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.8 -1.8
Average Weekly Hours - Private Sector 34.4 34.4 34.5 34.4
(Jan'13)
34.5 34.4 34.3
Average Private Sector Hourly Earnings (%) 0.3 0.1 0.2 2.2 2.0 1.5 2.0
Unemployment Rate (%) 6.6 6.7 7.0 7.9
(Jan'13)
7.4 8.1 8.9
  • Prior to joining Haver Analytics in 2000, Mr. Moeller worked as the Economist at Chancellor Capital Management from 1985 to 1999. There, he developed comprehensive economic forecasts and interpreted economic data for equity and fixed income portfolio managers. Also at Chancellor, Mr. Moeller worked as an equity analyst and was responsible for researching and rating companies in the economically sensitive automobile and housing industries for investment in Chancellor’s equity portfolio.   Prior to joining Chancellor, Mr. Moeller was an Economist at Citibank from 1979 to 1984.   He also analyzed pricing behavior in the metals industry for the Council on Wage and Price Stability in Washington, D.C.   In 1999, Mr. Moeller received the award for most accurate forecast from the Forecasters' Club of New York. From 1990 to 1992 he was President of the New York Association for Business Economists.   Mr. Moeller earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University, where he graduated in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University.

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