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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.

UnitedHealth Forecasts Profit Above Estimates but Shares Plummet on Medicare Advantage Rate Plan

UnitedHealth Group forecast its 2026 adjusted profit slightly above Wall Street expectations, yet the company’s stock tumbled sharply after the U.S. government proposed a modest 0.09% increase in Medicare Advantage payment rates for 2027 — far below market expectations. The weak rate outlook clouded investor sentiment, triggering widespread selling in major health insurers including Humana and CVS Health and underscoring sector vulnerability to policy shifts.