Once again, the U.S. labor market has underperformed, with August nonfarm payrolls coming in at 142K, well below the expected 165K. While the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, matching forecasts, the weaker job growth pressures the Federal Reserve to act. I expect a 25 basis point rate cut in September meanwhile markets are begging for 75 bps.
Full-time: -438K
Part-time: +527K