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June Jobs Report Adds Only 57,000 vs. 110,000 Expected — September Hike Odds Plunge to 50.7% as Labor Market Cools

The U.S. economy added just 57,000 jobs in June, barely half the 110,000 consensus forecast and the fewest in four months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prior-month revisions subtracted a combined 74,000 positions. The unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, but only because the labor force participation rate dropped to a five-year low of 61.5%. CME FedWatch now shows a 50.7% probability of a September hike, down sharply from 62.8% before the release.

June Nonfarm Payrolls Due at 8:30 AM — Consensus Expects 100,000 Jobs as Fed Rate-Hike Odds Hit 54.5% for 2026

The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the June nonfarm payrolls report today at 8:30 AM ET, with Wall Street consensus at 100,000 new jobs versus 172,000 in May. The unemployment rate is forecast to hold at 4.3%, and average hourly earnings are expected at 0.3% month-over-month. Markets pricing a 54.5% chance of a Fed rate hike by year-end. Wednesday's soft ADP print of 98,000 private-sector jobs has left investors on edge ahead of the binary catalyst.

Weekly Jobless Claims Rise to 219,000, Signaling Early Labor Market Softening

The U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday that seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims rose by 16,000 in the week ending April 4, reaching 219,000 — above analyst expectations — while the four-week moving average ticked higher, offering early evidence that the energy-driven economic disruption may be beginning to filter into the labor market.

March Jobs Report Crushes Forecasts — 178,000 Payrolls Added, Unemployment Falls to 4.3%

Friday's March employment report delivered a decisive upside shock, with the U.S. economy adding 178,000 jobs against a consensus estimate of just 51,000, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.3% — a powerful labor market signal that directly challenges the recession narrative heading into Q1 2026 earnings season kicking off this week.

Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to 205,000, Signaling Continued Labor Market Strength

Initial unemployment claims dropped to 205,000 for the week ending March 21, the lowest reading since November 2025 and well below economists' forecasts of 218,000. The data reinforces a robust labor market that has supported consumer spending and corporate earnings even as the Federal Reserve maintains elevated interest rates.

February Jobs Report Shocks Markets: Payrolls Shed 92,000, Unemployment Rises to 4.4%

The U.S. economy unexpectedly shed 92,000 jobs in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, far worse than the consensus estimate for a gain of 50,000 to 60,000 and marking the third payroll contraction in five months. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4%, while average hourly earnings surprised to the upside, presenting the Federal Reserve with a stagflationary dilemma at the worst possible moment.

January Jobs Report Shows 130K Payroll Gains Amid Critical Benchmark Revisions

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released delayed January employment data showing 130,000 new jobs added, exceeding expectations of 70,000. However, annual benchmark revisions revealed 2025 employment was significantly weaker than previously reported, with total job gains revised down from 584,000 to just 181,000 for the year.