The U.S. non-farm payrolls for January 2026 unexpectedly surged by 130,000, far exceeding the forecast of 55,000-75,000, with the unemployment rate dropping to 4.3%, hitting a six-month low. Healthcare (+82,000), social assistance (+42,000), and construction (+33,000) contributed the most to the increase. Private sector hourly wages rose 0.4% month-over-month and 3.7% year-over-year, indicating stable consumer spending potential. Following the data release, the Federal Reserve's rate cut expectations were pushed back to July, the US dollar index jumped 50 points, and spot gold plummeted nearly $40 in the short term. However, the annual employment data was revised downward by 898,000, and ADP private sector employment for January increased by only 22,000, showing that the labor market remains fragile. Economists warn that the expansion in the healthcare industry is unsustainable, and AI disruptions could further exacerbate structural employment imbalances.
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The U.S. non-farm payrolls for January 2026 unexpectedly surged by 130,000, far exceeding the forecast of 55,000-75,000, with the unemployment rate dropping to 4.3%, hitting a six-month low. Healthcare (+82,000), social assistance (+42,000), and construction (+33,000) contributed the most to the increase. Private sector hourly wages rose 0.4% month-over-month and 3.7% year-over-year, indicating stable consumer spending potential. Following the data release, the Federal Reserve's rate cut expectations were pushed back to July, the US dollar index jumped 50 points, and spot gold plummeted nearly $40 in the short term. However, the annual employment data was revised downward by 898,000, and ADP private sector employment for January increased by only 22,000, showing that the labor market remains fragile. Economists warn that the expansion in the healthcare industry is unsustainable, and AI disruptions could further exacerbate structural employment imbalances.