Sharlene Bellizzi Hose

#USNonFarmPayrollReport The U.S. Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) report, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is arguably the most influential monthly economic indicator. It measures the number of jobs added or lost in the previous month, excluding the agricultural sector, private households, and non-profit employees. Representing approximately 80% of the workforce contributing to GDP, the NFP serves as a vital pulse check for the U.S. economy. ​Latest Report (December 2025) ​The most recent report, released on December 16 after delays caused by a federal government shutdown, paints a picture of a cooling labor market: ​November Growth: The economy added 64,000 jobs, slightly beating expectations (+50,000) but signaling a sharp slowdown from historical norms. ​October Revision: Data was revised to show a loss of 105,000 jobs, largely due to federal workforce cuts. ​Unemployment Rate: Climbed to 4.6%, reaching a four-year high. ​Wage Growth: Average hourly earnings rose 0.1% for the month, totaling a 3.5% increase over the last 12 months. ​Why It Matters ​The Federal Reserve monitors this report to decide on interest rates. A "hot" report (strong job growth) often leads to higher rates to combat inflation, while "soft" data—like the current December figures—puts pressure on the Fed to consider rate cuts to stimulate the economy. For traders, "NFP Friday" is synonymous with high volatility in the US Dollar, Gold, and stock indices. ​Would you like me to create a table comparing these latest figures to the market forecasts?