U.S. job growth totaled 275,000

Job creation topped expectations in February, but the unemployment rate moved higher and employment growth from the previous two months wasn’t nearly as hot as initially reported. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 275,000 for the month while the jobless rate moved higher to 3.9%, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. Economists surveyed by … Read more

Why the Year of the Dragon doesn’t bode well for China’s declining population

China is unlikely to experience a distinct boost in birth rates this year, largely due to the country’s high youth unemployment and economic turmoil, according to the EIU. D3sign | Moment | Getty Images The Chinese Year of the Dragon is widely perceived in Asia-Pacific to be an auspicious year to have a baby — … Read more

China misses fourth-quarter GDP estimates, resumes posting youth unemployment data

Construction at China Vanke Co.’s Isle Maison development in Hefei, China, on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images BEIJING — China missed fourth-quarter GDP estimates on Wednesday, while it resumed reporting the unemployment rate for young people. The National Bureau of Statistics said that excluding people still in school, the unemployment … Read more

Payrolls increased by 216,000 in December

The U.S. labor market closed out 2023 in strong shape as the pace of hiring was even more powerful than expected, the Labor Department reported Friday. December’s jobs report showed employers added 216,000 positions for the month while the unemployment rate held at 3.7%. Payroll growth showed a sizeable gain from November’s downwardly revised 173,000. … Read more

Economy, Gaza war and China ties dominate

Presidential candidates Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto, and Ganjar Pranowo, along with their vice presidential candidates, are posing for photos after the first presidential candidate debate at the General Election Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta, Indonesia, on December 12, 2023. Indonesia is preparing to hold general elections for president and vice president for the 2024-2029 period … Read more

U.S. payrolls rose 199,000 unemployment rate falls to 3.7%

Job creation showed little signs of a letup in November, as payrolls grew even faster than expected and the unemployment rate fell despite signs of a weakening economy. Nonfarm payrolls rose by a seasonally adjusted 199,000 for the month, slightly better than the 190,000 Dow Jones estimate and ahead of the unrevised October gain of … Read more

Here’s what the market will be looking for in Friday’s key jobs report

Amazon workers deliver packages on Cyber Monday in New York, US, on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.  Stephanie Keith | Bloomberg | Getty Images At a time when the economy is supposed to be slowing, Friday’s jobs report is expected to show that employers actually picked up the hiring pace in November. Not that there’s anything … Read more

Global rice markets are in crisis amid ‘artificial’ shortage

Rice is a crucial staple for over half the global population and the world is bracing for its most significant shortage in 20 years. India’s export ban on rice is reverberating through global rice markets, threatening food security if developing nations cannot afford or access rice. “The only shortage out there right now would really … Read more

U.S. payrolls increased by 150,000 in October, less than expected

The U.S. economy saw job creation decelerate in October, confirming persistent expectations for a slowdown and possibly taking some heat off the Federal Reserve in its fight against inflation. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 150,000 for the month, the Labor Department reported Friday, against the Dow Jones consensus forecast for an increase of 170,000. The United … Read more

20% stock market plunge ahead, recession

JPMorgan’s Marko Kolanovic is bracing for a 20% sell-off to hit the S&P 500. According to the Institutional Investor hall-of-famer, high interest rates are creating a breaking point for stocks — and choosing cash at a 5.5% return in money market and short-term Treasurys is a key protection strategy right now. “I’m not sure how … Read more