BLS January Nonfarm Payrolls: +130K, Unemployment 4.3%

The U.S. added 130,000 nonfarm payrolls in January, topping FactSet’s 75,000 median forecast and signaling continued strength in the labor market. The unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in January, down from 4.4% in December. Revisions trimmed last year’s gains to 181,000, the weakest since 2020, from the previously reported 584,000. The report, initially scheduled for Jan. 6, was delayed due to a partial government shutdown. January layoffs reached their highest monthly level since 2009, outpacing recent JOLTS weakness and a rise in initial unemployment claims.