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U.S. unemployment rate falls to 7.9%, hiring slows again

Oct 2, 2020
America’s employers added 661,000 jobs in September, the third straight month of slower hiring.
The September jobs report coincides with other data that suggests that while the economic picture may be improving, the gains have slowed since summer.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Despite June's bullish employment numbers, the job market is reeling — and will be for a while

Jul 2, 2020
Employment remains below pre-pandemic levels, and as recently reopened businesses re-close, more job losses are on the way.
A grocery store employee cleans carts for customers in New York. Low-wage workers are disproportionately affected by the suffering job market.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Fed says big banks have passed their COVID-era stress tests

Jun 25, 2020
But the central bank is putting a stop to share buybacks and limiting bank dividends.
The Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The unemployment rate spiked to 14.7% in April. It doesn't fully capture COVID-19 job losses.

May 8, 2020
Some have lost jobs since the April survey, others may not be counted as unemployed because they are not actively seeking work.
Unemployment numbers are likely missing people who aren't working in order to home-school or care for family. Above, a mom works while her son does schoolwork during the pandemic.
Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Labor force participation rate signals massive job loss

Apr 30, 2020
With first-time jobless claims topping 30 million since mid-March, the Labor Department's April unemployment rate may under-count job loss.
A city worker hands out applications for unemployment benefits at a drive-through center.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Despite staggering unemployment numbers, it's even worse than it looks

Apr 9, 2020
Nearly one out of 10 people who had a job to go to before the pandemic don't have one now.
One expert estimates unemployment in the U.S. is around 14% currently.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Pay no attention to Friday's jobs numbers

Apr 2, 2020
The BLS monthly jobs report is based on surveys conducted in mid-March, before the recent wave of layoffs and furloughs.
Job listings are down in hospitality and travel during COVID-19. Above, a note of closure on the door of the Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 19.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images