U.S. economy added 29,000 jobs in September, signaling a slower labor market

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1. 2h ago

   U.S. Economy Adds 29,000 Jobs in September as Hiring Slows

   The U.S. economy added 29,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in September, falling significantly short of the 85,000 gain predicted by Bloomberg economists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate rose to 4.2%. This slowdown has led market traders to reduce bets on further interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve. While some analysts view the weak growth as a catalyst for stock market gains, Democratic politicians have used the data to criticize the current administration's economic agenda ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

   Why it matters

   The Federal Reserve monitors labor market strength to determine interest rate policy. A cooling job market may prompt the Fed to skip planned rate hikes to avoid stifling economic growth. This data arrives as the U.S. approaches midterm elections, increasing the political sensitivity of economic performance.

   What is confirmed

   • The U.S. economy added 29,000 jobs in September.
   • The unemployment rate rose to 4.2%.
   • Bloomberg economists had expected a gain of 85,000 jobs.
   • The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the September 2026 jobs report on Friday.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Federal Reserve will skip a rate increase at the October 27-28 meeting.

   What to watch next

   • Federal Open Market Committee decision on October 27-28 regarding interest rates.
   • Revised nonfarm payroll data for previous months.
   • Midterm election polling shifts following economic reports.
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. CNN — What to expect from today’s jobs report
   2. cnbc.com — U.S. nonfarm payrolls increase by 29,000 in September, less than expected; unemployment rises to 4.2%
   3. The Guardian — Top Democrats slam ‘Trump’s failing economic agenda’ after weaker-than-expected jobs growth – US politics live
   4. NBC News — U.S. labor market slows with midterms on the horizon
   5. The Washington Post — U.S. economy added 29,000 jobs in September, signaling a slower labor market
   6. Yahoo Finance — US posts weak job growth data in September
   7. The New York Times — Soft Jobs Report Boosts Market Bets Fed Will Skip October Rate Increase
   8. Honolulu Star-Advertiser — U.S. job growth slows sharply in September, unemployment rises
   9. www.foxbusiness.com — US economy added 29,000 jobs in September, a slower pace than expected - Fox Business
   10. finance.yahoo.com — September's jobs report misses: US added just 29,000 jobs ...
   11. finance.yahoo.com — The U.S. Economy Added 29,000 Jobs in September, Far Fewer Than Expected. Here's Why That's Good News for....
   12. www.marketscreener.com — US job growth slows sharply in September; unemployment rate rises to 4.2% | MarketScreener
   confidence 95%