Here’s Why Analysts Say There’s ‘More Good News Than Bad’ in the Latest Jobs Report
The latest jobs report shows that the U.S. economy added 50,000 jobs in December.
Key Takeaways
- The latest jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that employers added 50,000 jobs in December, which is fewer than the expected number.
- Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 4.4%, down from 4.6% in November.
- The combination of softer job growth and a lower unemployment rate is why multiple analysts describe the findings as “mixed.”
The U.S. job market wrapped up 2025 on a softer but still fundamentally resilient note. The economy added fewer jobs in December than expected, but finished the year with a lower-than-expected unemployment rate.
According to a Friday report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers added 50,000 jobs in December — fewer than the 73,000 economists expected and just below November’s downwardly revised gain of 56,000 jobs. The U.S. economy added a relatively modest number of jobs in December, underscoring a slower pace of hiring.
Still, there was good news. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.4%, slightly better than the 4.5% forecast and below the November rate of 4.6%, which was its highest level in four years. The December unemployment rate suggests that labor demand remains reasonably solid.
In December, average hourly earnings for all employees increased by 12 cents to $37.02. Most of the job gains came from employment in food services and drinking places, which added 27,000 jobs in the month. Healthcare employment also increased by 21,000 roles in December, with a gain of 16,000 jobs in hospitals.
Related: The Number of Unemployed IT Workers Grew By 54,000 in a Month. An Expert Says AI Is to Blame.
The combination of softer job growth and a lower unemployment rate is why multiple analysts describe the findings as “mixed.” Ger Doyle, regional president, North America for ManpowerGroup, told Entrepreneur in an emailed statement that today’s “mixed numbers” indicate “a cautious start to the new year, not a setback.”
“Companies are prioritizing roles that drive revenue, operations and technology, and job postings are staying open for less time than two years ago,” Doyle said. “Layoffs remain low, signaling that employers are holding onto talent even as they hire selectively.”
Doyle noted that last year ended with employers “making careful, targeted hires.” ManpowerGroup’s data shows that employers continue to exercise restraint in hiring at the start of the new year.
Job hugging, a strategy where workers hold onto their jobs and refrain from quitting or switching roles, is still the path most workers are taking in this market, Doyle said. “Confidence is slowly improving,” he added.
Related: Job Hugging Is the New Quiet Quitting — and Leaders Can’t Afford to Ignore It
The labor market experienced highs and lows in 2025. It moved from a peak gain of 158,000 jobs in April to a loss of 105,000 in October. Three of the past six months experienced net losses or negative growth.
Art Hogan, chief marketing strategist at B. Riley Wealth, called the report “a mixed bag.”
“The overarching takeaway in today’s report is that there is more good news than bad,” he told CNBC on Friday.
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Key Takeaways
- The latest jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that employers added 50,000 jobs in December, which is fewer than the expected number.
- Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 4.4%, down from 4.6% in November.
- The combination of softer job growth and a lower unemployment rate is why multiple analysts describe the findings as “mixed.”
The U.S. job market wrapped up 2025 on a softer but still fundamentally resilient note. The economy added fewer jobs in December than expected, but finished the year with a lower-than-expected unemployment rate.
According to a Friday report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers added 50,000 jobs in December — fewer than the 73,000 economists expected and just below November’s downwardly revised gain of 56,000 jobs. The U.S. economy added a relatively modest number of jobs in December, underscoring a slower pace of hiring.
