US economy added 151,000 jobs in February, below expectations
Published On Mar 7, 2025, 8:32 AM
The US economy added 151,000 jobs in February, falling short of expectations of 160,000. The unemployment rate rose to 4.1%, slightly higher than anticipated. Job creation numbers for the previous months were revised, with December's gains adjusted upward and January's downward. Notably, federal government jobs declined by 10,000 due to cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency, which is linked to Elon Musk's leadership.
Stock Forecasts
SPY
Negative
The lower-than-expected job growth reported for February suggests a slowdown in the labor market, which may lead to lower consumer spending and a cautious approach from the Federal Reserve regarding interest rate hikes. This environment can adversely affect economic growth expectations and market performance.
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