The December jobs report was terrible. After a November report that was strong from stem to stern, December disappointed in every dimension: jobs grew by only 74,000, there were modest upward revisions to past jobs growth, hours worked fell, and earnings were flat to declining. Yes, the unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percent to 6.7 percent but only because labor force participation fell off (another) cliff – this time declining to 62.8 percent, the lowest in 36 years.
The only important question is whether it is real. There are some concerns about weather affecting the labor market in the survey week and the data do not jibe with other indicators from December.
On the numbers:
‐ Index of weekly payrolls down 0.1 percent.
No good news anywhere.
The Hispanic unemployment rate fell from 8.7 percent to 8.3 percent, but again because labor force participation fell from 66.3 percent to 65.5 percent.
Data junkies, here’s your fix: the December U-6 (the broadest measure of unemployment) was unchanged at 13.1 percent.
The bottom line: The December report muddies the waters. Going in, job growth was viewed as solid, if too slow to really lower unemployment. Once again, however, the pace of recovery appears threatened and the adequacy of White House economic policies is further in question.
Sign up to receive the U-6 Fix from the American Action Forum in your inbox here.