Courtesy of Mish.
Initial Reaction and Election Impact
The establishment report of +114,000 jobs was pretty much about what most expected. The four-month average is a mere 120,000 a month (a very weak set of establishment numbers for this point in a recovery).
However, the household survey surprise shows the unemployment rate fell three-tenths of a percent to 7.8%.
On the surface, this is a solid showing, and 100% certain to boost the Obama campaign. I suggest these numbers will overshadow a horrendously weak performance by the president in the debate.
That said, a closer look shows the entire drop in the unemployment rate can be attributed to a surprise rise of 582,000 in part-time workers. U-6 unemployment remained at 14.7%. U-6 includes part-time workers who want a full-time job.
Still, all things considered, this was the strongest report in four months.
Does it change my recession outlook?
No, it doesn’t. A one-month potential outlier based primarily on a rise in part-time employment, accompanied by other weak data does not change my perception.
Jobs Report at a Glance
Here is an overview of today’s release.
- September Payrolls +114,000 – Establishment Survey
- Four-month average +120,000 – Establishment Survey
- US Employment +873,000 – Household Survey
- Involuntary Part-Time Work +582,000 – Household Survey
- Baseline Unemployment Rate -.03 at 7.8% – Household Survey
- U-6 unemployment did not drop. It remained at 14.7%.
- The Civilian Labor Force +418,000
Recall that the unemployment rate varies in accordance with the Household Survey not the reported headline jobs number, and not in accordance with the weekly claims data….
