Surprising May Jobs Report Signals Strengthening Labor Market
The U.S. labor market continues to show signs of strength as the economy added a significant number of jobs in May, suggesting that the Federal Reserve is likely to delay any interest rate cuts until at least September.
The latest employment data also revealed a slight uptick in the jobless rate, rising to 4% from 3.9% in April, breaking a 27-month streak of remaining below that level.
Nonfarm payrolls increased by 272,000 jobs last month, surpassing expectations of 180,000. Additionally, revisions downward showed 15,000 fewer jobs than previously reported for March and April combined.
Stocks opened lower following the release of the data, which eased concerns on Wall Street about the economy’s trajectory but also pushed back expectations for a Fed rate cut.
In positive news for workers, but potentially adding to the Fed’s cautious approach, the May report indicated a strong increase in hourly wages, rising by 14 cents, or 0.4%, to $34.91, marking a 4.1% increase over the past 12 months.
“Current wage gains are outpacing the recent rate of inflation, helping individuals and households to recover some of their lost buying power,” noted Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate.
Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist for Nationwide, observed that the robust job growth in May contrasts with other indicators suggesting a slowing economy. She believes that last month’s hiring surge, along with rising wages, could prompt the Fed to delay rate cuts until there is clear evidence of economic slowdown to curb inflation.
“We had been expecting rate cuts to begin in September, totaling 50 basis points of cuts this year, but the persistent strong employment gains increase the likelihood of delayed rate cuts,” said Bostjancic.
While the May jobs report exceeded forecasts, it aligns with the narrative of an economy experiencing a “soft landing” rather than heading toward a recession. Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth, suggested that a figure above 300,000 jobs would raise concerns about the job market overheating.
