U.S. labor market remains strong, economy slowing | Reuters
'Still, labor market conditions remain strong, which for now should help to temper fears of a sharp slowdown in economic growth. '
'The jobless rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.9 percent in December as strong labor market conditions attracted some unemployed people back into the labor force. '
'The so-called continuing claims data covered the week of the household survey from which January’s unemployment rate will be calculated. '
'The four-week moving average of initial claims, considered a better measure of labor market trends as it irons out week-to-week volatility, fell 5,500 to 215,000 last week. '
'If there were no government shutdown, the modest gain between the survey weeks would suggest little change in the unemployment rate this month. '
[–] Truth_Journey ago
Absolutely it is. As a business owner I can tell you nobody is wanting to spend money until they know what is going to happen with the government.