If you’re unable to view the September 2019 Economic Report, here’s a quick summary:
The unemployment rate dropped by 0.2% to 3.5%. The rate has not been this low since December 1969.
Total nonfarm payroll employment went up by 136,000. Job growth has averaged 161,000/month so far in 2019, compared with an average monthly gain of 223,000 in 2018.
Health care added 39,000 jobs.
Professional and business services added 34,000 jobs.
The government added 22,000 jobs.
Leisure and hospitality added 21,000 jobs.
Transportation and warehousing added 16,000 jobs.
Retail trade lost 11,000 jobs.
Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls lowered by 1 cent to $28.09, after an 11-cent gain in August. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 2.9%.
U.S. job openings dropped to a rate of 4.5% in July, from 4.6% in June.
Dow Jones rose by 2.8% during the month of September.
Housing starts rose by 12.3% to 1.36 million in August.
Consumer price index increased by 0.1%.
Federal prime rate decreased 0.25% to 5%.
Retail inventories increased by 0.8% in July to $667.1 billion.
Manufacturing hours worked per week remained at 40.5 hours.
Manufacturing new orders decreased by 0.08% in August to $499.8 billion.