США: Дані з неробочих місць у грудні не виправдали очікувань, рівень безробіття трохи знизився, але це не може приховати тенденцію погіршення стану ринку праці

Deep Tide TechFlow News, January 09 — Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday showed that 50,000 jobs were added in December, below the 60,000 predicted by economists. The unemployment rate fell to 4.4%, compared to 4.6% in November. After November and October data were severely impacted by the government shutdown, this release provides the most complete picture of the U.S. job market in months. November’s jobs data was revised down to 56,000 from an initial reading of 64,000.

This data release further confirms signs of labor market deterioration, with impacts from federal government workforce reductions and slower private sector hiring. The Federal Reserve has cut U.S. borrowing costs at its last three meetings, maintaining its benchmark target rate range at 3.5-3.75%, a three-year low. Fed Chair Powell hinted in December that the threshold for further rate cuts is high, stating that current borrowing costs are already “in a good place.”

However, the weak December data may complicate the case for the Fed to pause its rate-cutting cycle at its next meeting later this month. The Fed has also raised concerns about the accuracy of recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, with Powell believing that U.S. economic job additions each month are 60,000 fewer than claimed in the employment report. (Golden Ten)