Focus on Labor: The History & Importance of Employment Data

Why are payroll numbers reported as "nonfarm" jobs? What other jobs are excluded from the unemployment rate? Why is "hours worked" an important recession indicator? For this shorter week, Liz Ann and Kathy discuss various aspects of the labor market and its indicators. They touch on the monthly jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall unemployment rate, initial jobless claims, and other key metrics. They also discuss the uniqueness of the current labor market cycle and the challenges in analyzing it. The conversation then shifts to the Federal Reserve's focus on employment and inflation and the potential impact of the upcoming jobs report on Fed policy. Finally, Kathy and Liz Ann provide their outlook for the next week's economic data and market events.You can read more about the history of the Department of Labor in this article on their website and explore the data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.On Investing is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the show, visit schwab.com/OnInvesting.If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.Important DisclosuresThe information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve. All  names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. ​Commodity-related products carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Commodity-related products may be extremely volatile, may be illiquid, and can be significantly affected by underlying commodity prices, world events, import controls, worldwide competition, government regulations, and economic conditions.Past performance is no guarantee of future results and the opinions presented cannot be viewed as an indicator of future performance.The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data.(0924-PYS2)