U.S. added just 73,000 jobs in July and numbers for prior months were revised much lower

U.S. added just 73,000 jobs in July and numbers for prior months were revised much lower


An attendee holds an “Entry Level Jobs” flyer at a City Career Fair hiring event in Sacramento, California, on Feb. 27, 2025.

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Nonfarm payroll growth was slower than expected in July and the unemployment rate ticked higher, raising potential trouble signs for the U.S. labor market.

Job growth totaled 73,000 for the month, above the June total of 14,000 but below even the meager Dow Jones estimate for a gain of 100,000. June and May totals were revised sharply lower, down by a combined 258,000 from previously announced levels.

At the same time, the unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, in line with the forecast.

The June total came down from the previously stated 147,000, while the May count fell to just 19,000, revised down by 125,000.

Stock market futures fell further after the news while Treasury yields also were sharply lower. The weak jobs report, including the dramatic revisions, could provide incentive for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates when it next meets in September.

There were few signs of strength in the July jobs count, with gains coming primarily from health care, a sector that has continued to show strength in the post-Covid recovery. The group added 55,000 jobs, easily leading the way. Social assistance also contributed 18,000 jobs.

However, federal government employment continued to decline, down 12,000 or the month and 84,000 since its January peak, before Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency began paring down the jobs rolls.

On wages, average hourly earnings increased 0.3%, meeting the estimate, though the yearly gain of 3.9% was slightly higher than expected.

The household survey, which is used to compile the unemployment rate, was even worse than the establishment survey of total payrolls gains. That showed a decline of 260,000 workers, with the participation rate edging down to 62.2%, the lowest since November 2022.

This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.



Source

BOJ’s Ueda expects tightening job market to push up wages
World

BOJ’s Ueda expects tightening job market to push up wages

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda attends the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s 2025 Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Aug. 23, 2025. Jim Urquhart | Reuters Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said wage hikes are spreading beyond large firms and likely to keep accelerating due to a tightening job […]

Read More
From NYC to Cape Town and Shanghai: The 10 best cities for Gen Z to live in, according to them
World

From NYC to Cape Town and Shanghai: The 10 best cities for Gen Z to live in, according to them

In August, Time Out released its annual ranking of the word’s best cities, which includes the top cities for food, culture, and nightlife. For the first year, Time Out included the 10 best cities for for Gen Z to live in, according to them. The survey of over 18,500 people from around the world and […]

Read More
Medtronic makes two key additions to its board. How activist Elliott can build shareholder value
World

Medtronic makes two key additions to its board. How activist Elliott can build shareholder value

Michael Siluk | Education Images | Universal Images Group | Getty Images Company: Medtronic PLC (MDT) Business: Medtronic PLC is an Ireland-based company, which provides health-care technology solutions. The company’s products category includes Advanced Surgical Technology; Cardiac Rhythm; Cardiovascular; Digestive & Gastrointestinal; Ear, Nose & Throat; General Surgery; Gynecological; Neurological; Oral & Maxillofacial; Patient Monitoring; […]

Read More