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U.S. adds fewer jobs than expected but preserves positive streak

The U.S. economy added 157,000 new jobs in July and the unemployment rate fell to 3.9%, but wage growth continued to lag behind inflation. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg forecast 193,000 new jobs and an unemployment rate of 3.9%.

Expand chart
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Chart: Axios Visuals

The bottom line: The U.S. economy is still in the longest-ever streak of job growth. The Labor Department today also increased prior month estimates for job growth. "The reality is the economy is on a very strong trajectory," Invesco Chief Global Market Strategist Kristina Hooper tells CNBC. Yet a years-long wages slog for working America continues.

Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RMS: "While, the job gains are stout, we are growing increasingly concerned that average hourly earnings are simply not keeping up the pace of inflation. Given that, the consumer price index is up 2.9 percent over the past year it would be generous to describe inflation-adjusted gains as flat."

Ben Casselman of the New York Times:

University of Michigan Economist Justin Wolfers:

Go deeper

Mike Allen, author of AM
43 mins ago - Economy & Business

America on borrowed time

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Economic recovery will not be linear as the world continues to grapple with the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Why it matters: Despite being propped up by an extraordinary amount of fiscal stimulus and support from central banks, the state of the global economy remains fragile.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Jonathan Swan
12 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Gina Haspel threatened to resign over plan to install Kash Patel as CIA deputy

CIA Director Gina Haspel. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

CIA Director Gina Haspel threatened to resign in early December after President Trump cooked up a hasty plan to install loyalist Kash Patel, a former aide to Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), as her deputy, according to three senior administration officials with direct knowledge of the matter.

Why it matters: The revelation stunned national security officials and almost blew up the leadership of the world's most powerful spy agency. Only a series of coincidences — and last minute interventions from Vice President Mike Pence and White House counsel Pat Cipollone — stopped it.

Go deeper (3 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 13 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Health: Coronavirus deaths reach 4,000 per day as hospitals remain in crisis mode — CDC warns highly transmissible coronavirus variant could become dominant in U.S. in March.
  2. Politics: Biden says, "We will manage the hell out of" vaccine distribution — Biden taps ex-FDA chief to lead Operation Warp Speed amid rollout of COVID plan — Widow of GOP congressman-elect who died of COVID-19 will run to fill his seat.
  3. Vaccine: Battling Black mistrust of the vaccines — "Pharmacy deserts" could become vaccine deserts — Instacart to give $25 to shoppers who get vaccine.
  4. Economy: Unemployment filings explode again — Fed chair: No interest rate hike coming any time soon —  Inflation rose more than expected in December.
  5. World: WHO team arrives in China to investigate pandemic origins.
Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow

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