Economy shows strength, with employers adding 257,000 jobs in January

[mystery-ak]

http://thehill.com/policy/finance/231975-economy-adds-257000-jobs

By Vicki Needham - 02/06/15 08:38 AM EST
The January labor report showed robust gains of 257,000 jobs last month, a faster pace than expected that adds to data suggesting the U.S. economy is growing strongly.
 
While the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 5.7 percent, the overall report suggests big improvements in the labor market.
 
The report revised figures in November and December to show gains of 147,000 jobs. November’s figures were up to 423,000 from 353,000 while December was revised up to 329,000 from 252,000.
 
Hourly wages also ticked up, with the closely watched hourly earnings data rising 0.5 percent, the Labor Department reported Friday.
 
A rising economy has lifted President Obama, who has seen his approval ratings hit 50 percent. That's led to new confidence at the White House, which has taken a forceful line with Republicans in control of both chambers in Congress.
 
Static wages in the report for December had sparked some fears that the pace of the economy was slowing, but the January report found wages rose by the most since November 2008, shortly after the start of the financial crisis.
 
In the past year, hourly pay has increased 2.2 percent.
 
Job gains averaged 336,000 over the last three months, up from 197,000 a year ago and the strongest showing since the end of 1997.
 
Construction added 39,000 jobs in January, up from the monthly average of 28,000 over the past year.
 
Manufacturing employment increased by 22,000 last month. The sector has added 228,000 jobs over the past 12 months.
 
The jobless rate rose but so did labor force participation with 703,000 people jumping in to look for work, upping the participation rate by 0.2 percentage point to 62.9 percent.
 
Those figures suggest more people believe they can find jobs in a rebounding market.
 
A dissonant note could be found in the number of long-term unemployed — those out of work for six or more months. That figure was essentially unchanged at 2.8 million. Those workers made up 31.5 percent of the unemployed.
 
However, over the past 12 months, the number of long-term unemployed is down by 828,000.

[jmyrlefuller]

And if you believe those numbers, I have some land to sell you.

[flowers]

And if you like your healthcare you can keep your healthcare.

[Oceander]

The people who are giving this to Obuttocks are exceedingly stupid.  The reason the economy is beginning to look up a bit is because Obama and Obama-ism were roundly rejected in the 2014 mid-terms.