October Jobs Report Released

Despite some claims that the storm-related closure of federal offices would cause its delay, the highly-anticipated final pre-election jobs report was issued on schedule today. One analyst calls the report "solid."

In the final monthly jobs report before Election Day, the government today said the U.S. unemployment rate for October ticked up to 7.9 percent. The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the U.S. economy added 171,000 jobs, stating that the number of unemployed Americans was essentially unchanged in October at 12.3 million. "We still have a long way to go but this is a step in the right direction," said Stephen Bronars, chief economist of Welch Consulting. Analysts had expected around 125,000 added jobs, according to Bloomberg News. Bronars said October's jobs report was positive despite the unemployment rate increase, because more people resumed looking for work. He called the 171,000 jobs added "solid" and noted there were upward revisions to the reports of the past two months.

No October surprise here, at least.