US Adds 143K Jobs in January

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FEB 7

Above: Maplewood, Minnesota. Metro Transit hiring drivers with the possibility to make $30.00 an hour. Image copyright: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

story last updated FEB 7

The Spin

Narrative A

This recent jobs report shows a nuanced look at the US economy. While the addition of 143K jobs may be below expectations, it comes alongside a decrease in the unemployment rate to 4%. Together, these suggest a resilient labor market.

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Narrative B

The slowdown in job growth raises concerns about an economic downturn. New jobs are mainly in lower-paying, less stable sectors like government, health care, and retail, which could hinder sustained growth. A decline in the average workweek also signals potential weaknesses in the labor market. This report was fairly pessimistic.

CNN