Economists Forecast Moderating but Still Strong February Jobs Growth
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Economists expect February's jobs report to show 200,000 jobs added, far below January's 353,000 job gains. But February's tally would still continue historic labor market expansion.
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Beyond headline numbers, metrics to watch include wage growth (expected to moderate slightly), average workweek (dropped sharply in January, possibly due to weather), and where the jobs are concentrated.
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Other economic data shows hiring and job openings declining but still well above pre-pandemic levels, indicating continued labor market strength.
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Layoff announcements remain elevated, though real-time data indicates low overall layoff activity across the economy.
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Continuing jobless claims rose slightly but are still near 50-year lows, suggesting unemployed workers are still finding new jobs fairly easily.