The U.S. economy lost 23,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Aug. 7, marking the first month of net job losses in the current economic cycle while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. The report is the single most closely watched monthly economic indicator

Nonfarm business productivity grew 1.4 percent in the second quarter of 2026 while unit labor costs rose 1.3 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Aug. 6. In manufacturing, the picture was more favorable: productivity rose 1.9 percent while unit labor costs were essentially unchanged, a combination that helps contain

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited a wood pulp mill in Baileyville, Maine, with violations exceeding $700,000 after a deadly gas release killed two workers, the Department of Labor announced Aug. 6. OSHA’s investigation found systemic failures to protect workers from chemical exposure hazards at the facility, the department

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 1.4% in the second quarter while unit labor costs rose 1.3% over the same period, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Aug. 6. The closely watched figures provide fresh signals on whether American wage growth is being absorbed by productivity gains, a critical question

Initial unemployment insurance claims remained below the 200,000 threshold that signals labor market strength, the Department of Labor reported Aug. 6. Claims rose by 1,000 to 199,000 for the week ending Aug. 1. The four-week moving average, considered a more reliable indicator because it smooths out weekly volatility, declined to

The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found child labor violations, minimum wage violations, and overtime violations at all three La Panaderia Bakery and Cafe locations in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 4. Federal investigators recovered back wages for affected employees and assessed civil money penalties against the establishment,

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey for the most recent reporting period on Aug. 4, providing the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of labor market tightness at a moment when employment data is signaling a significant slowdown. The JOLTS release tracks job openings, hires,

The Consumer Price Index fell 0.4% in June on a monthly basis, marking the largest single-month decline in several years and offering temporary relief for consumers battling elevated costs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. However, consumer prices remained 3.5% higher than June 2025 on a year-over-year basis, according to

The U.S. economy added just 57,000 nonfarm jobs in June, a sharply disappointing figure well below expectations and among the weakest monthly readings in recent years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The national unemployment rate held at 4.2%, according to BLS. The combination of anemic job growth with a

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on July 30 cited a hardwood pulp mill in Baileyville, Maine, more than $700,000 in penalties following a deadly gas release that killed two workers, the Department of Labor announced. The citation is one of the largest single OSHA enforcement actions of the year.

Civilian worker compensation costs increased 0.9% from March to June, bringing the year-over-year increase to 3.4%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported July 31 in the Employment Cost Index for the second quarter. Wages and salaries rose 3.2% over the 12-month period, while benefit costs increased 3.8%, according to the

The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Aug. 4 released the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey for July 2026, providing the most current snapshot of job vacancies, hiring and worker separations across the U.S. economy. The JOLTS report is especially closely watched this cycle as the labor market shows signs

The Producer Price Index for final demand fell 0.3%, driven by a 1.4% decline in goods prices even as services prices rose 0.2%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data for June. Import prices surged 7.1% year-over-year and export prices climbed 10.2% over the same period, reflecting the downstream impact

The Consumer Price Index fell 0.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis and rose 3.5% compared to the prior year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering June. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was unchanged for the month but rose 2.6% year-over-year. The divergence between headline

Civilian worker compensation rose 0.9 percent in the second quarter and 3.4 percent over the past 12 months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported July 31 in its quarterly Employment Cost Index release. Wages and salaries increased 3.2 percent year-over-year, while benefit costs climbed 3.8 percent, according to the BLS