Economy
U.S. Economy Lost 23,000 Jobs in July, Rattling Markets and Rate Expectations
via Bureau of Labor Statistics
The U.S. economy shed 23,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in July 2026 — far below the 83,000 gain economists had projected — marking a sudden reversal from June's revised 20,000-job gain. The unemployment rate edged down to 4.1%, but the labor force participation rate dropped to 61.4%, the lowest level in over five years.
Why it matters
A weakening job market raises the odds that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates sooner, which could gradually lower the cost of mortgages, car loans, and credit card debt.


