ETFdb Logo
ETFdb Logo
  • ETF Database
  • Channels
    • Active ETF
    • Beyond Basic Beta
    • China Insights
    • Climate Insights
    • Commodities
    • Core Strategies
    • Crypto
    • Disruptive Technology
    • Energy Infrastructure
    • ESG
    • ETF Building Blocks
    • ETF Education
    • ETF Strategist
    • Fixed Income
    • Free Cash Flow
    • Gold/Silver/Critical Minerals
    • Innovative ETFs
    • Institutional Income Strategies
    • Leveraged & Inverse
    • Managed Futures
    • Market Insights
    • Modern Alpha
    • Night Effect
    • Portfolio Strategies
    • Retirement Income
    • Richard Bernstein Advisors
    • Tax Efficient Income
    • Volatility Resource
  • Tools
    • ETF Screener
    • ETF Country Exposure Tool
    • ETF Database Categories
    • Head-To-Head ETF Comparison Tool
    • ETF Stock Exposure Tool
    • ETF Issuer Fund Flows
    • Indexes
    • Mutual Fund To ETF Converter
    • ETF Data for Journalists
    • ETF Nerds
  • Research
    • ETF Education
    • Equity Investing
    • Dividend ETFs
    • Leveraged ETFs
    • Inverse ETFs
    • Index Education
    • Index Insights
    • Top ETF Sectors
    • Top ETF Issuers
    • Top ETF Industries
  • Webcasts
  • Themes
    • AI ETFs
    • Blockchain ETFs
    • See all Thematic Investing ETF themes
    • ESG Investing
    • Marijuana ETFs
  • Multimedia
    • ETF 360 Video Series
    • ETF Trends on Videos
    • ETF Trends on Podcasts
    • ETF Prime Podcast
  • Company
    • About VettaFi
    • Get VettaFi’ed
  • PRO
    • Pro Content
    • Pro Tools
    • Advanced
    • FAQ
    • Pricing
    • Free Sign Up
    • Login
  1. It’s the Economy That Matters: February Jobs Report
News
Share

It's the Economy That Matters: February Jobs Report

Jennifer NashMar 13, 2023
2023-03-13

Last week, several key economic data points were released that provide insight into the overall health of the U.S. economy. In this week’s article, we have highlighted the important data points from the February jobs report, the January JOLTS summary, and the January trade balance report. These indicators are closely watched by policymakers and advisors trying to understand the direction of interest rates because the data can have a significant impact on financial markets and business decisions.  

February Jobs Report 

The February employment report revealed stronger-than-expected job growth on Friday, showing 311,000 jobs added for the month of February, exceeding expectations (the Investing.com forecast was 205,000) and indicating continued strength in the labor market. However, other data points in the report signaled a slowdown. The unemployment rate rose for the first time in five months to 3.6%, and the labor force participation rate increased for a third consecutive month to 62.5%, its highest level since the 2020 recession. Additionally, decreases in weekly wages and hours worked were reported that could reflect slower economic growth. Overall, the jobs report was mixed but better than what most had feared.  

Read more about the latest employment report by clicking here.


Content continues below advertisement

Nonfarm Payrolls Chart

January JOLTS (Job Openings Labor Turnover) 

The January JOLTS summary was highlighted by a decrease of 410,000 job openings from December to 10.8 million, with the largest decline coming in the construction sector. Other key data points in the summary showed that hiring increased slightly to 6.4 million, layoffs surged by over 240,000, and quits fell by about 200,000. The JOLTS data helps gauge labor demand, and while January’s report indicates a cooling labor market, there are still 1.9 job openings for every available worker.  

Read more about the latest JOLTS summary by clicking here.

JOLTS Report Graph

January Trade Balance 

The U.S. international trade deficit expanded by 1.6% in January to $68.3 billion from a revised December figure of $67.2 billion. Both imports and exports grew, with the goods deficit decreasing by $0.6 billion, and the services surplus decreasing by $1.7 billion. Compared to last year, the trade deficit was down 22%. January’s reading showed the largest monthly gap between imports and exports that we have seen in the last three months. However, due to the extreme volatility of this monthly indicator, it’s best to look at the six-month moving average for a clearer picture of the overall trend. The six-month moving average dropped for an eighth consecutive month to $68.4 billion, its lowest figure since July 2021. 

Read more about the latest trade balance report by clicking here.

Trade Balance Graph

This week, keep an eye out for Tuesday’s release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wednesday’s release of the Producer Price Index (PPI), and the latest data on retail sales. Such data will reveal more insight into whether U.S. inflation continues to cool and whether consumer spending has persisted. The year-over-year headline and core CPI are expected to come in lower than last month at 6.0% and 5.5%, respectively. The month-over-month headline and core PPI are expected to come in lower than last month at 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively. Retail sales will impact interest in the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT B+) and are expected to be down 0.3% from last month. 

For more news, information, and analysis, visit VettaFi | ETFDB.

» Popular Pages

  • Tickers
  • Articles

Mar 24

Markets Bounce in Wake of Banking Crisis and Rate Hike

Mar 24

Main Management Market Note: March 24, 2023

Mar 24

Meet an Advisor: Ramona Maior

Mar 24

Tobin McDaniel: ETFs Crucial in SoFi's Growth

Mar 24

Semiconductors Spark Investors’ Hope

Mar 24

Take a Look at EWCO, RYT, and RCD

Mar 24

VettaFi Voices On: The Fed's Next Steps On Rate Hikes

Mar 24

ETF Issuer League: 7% Jump for Barclays

Mar 24

Opportunity Knocks With KWEB

Mar 24

To Access High Dividend International Stocks, Use IDOG

QQQ

Invesco QQQ Trust

SPY

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

VOO

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

VGT

Vanguard Information...

SMH

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

XLK

Technology Select Sector SPDR...

VTI

Vanguard Total Stock Market...

SOXX

iShares Semiconductor ETF

BLOK

Amplify Transformational Data...

META

Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF


Content continues below advertisement

Loading Articles...
Help & Info
  • Contact Us
Tools
  • ETF Screener
  • ETF Analyzer
  • Mutual Fund to ETF Converter
  • Head-To-Head ETF Comparison
  • ETF Country Exposure Tool
  • ETF Stock Exposure Tool
  • ETF Performance Visualizer
  • ETF Database Model Portfolios
  • ETF Database Realtime Ratings
  • ETF Database Pro
More Tools
  • ETF Launch Center
  • Financial Advisor & RIA Center
  • ETF Database RSS Feed
Explore ETFs
  • ETF News
  • ETF Picks of the Month
  • ETF Category Reports
  • Premium Articles
  • Alphabetical Listing of ETFs
  • Best ETFs
  • Browse ETFs by ETF Database Category
  • Browse ETFs by Index
  • Browse ETFs by Issuer
  • Compare ETFs
Legal
  • Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
  • © 2023 VettaFi LLC. All rights reserved.
Follow ETF Database
Follow ETF Database

Advertisement

Is Your Portfolio Positioned With Enough Global Exposure?

ETF Education Channel

How to Allocate Commodities in Portfolios

Tom LydonApr 26, 2022
2022-04-26

A long-running debate in asset allocation circles is how much of a portfolio an investor should...

Core Strategies Channel

Why ETFs Experience Limit Up/Down Protections

Karrie GordonMay 13, 2022
2022-05-13

In a digital age where information moves in milliseconds and millions of participants can transact...

}
X