Notable · Fri 2 Oct 2026

US employers added fewer jobs than usual

The September figure, out 2 Oct: US employers added 29,000 jobs. A usual month over the past 5 years: 64,000 to 283,000 jobs.

US jobs added each month, last 12 months

change from the month before, thousands of jobs

US employers added fewer jobs than usual this month, or cut jobs. One month on its own doesn't make a trend.

Written in advance by Monetario, the same for every similar move. The numbers come from the data below.

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The September figure, out 2 Oct: US employers added 29,000 jobs. A usual month over the past 5 years: 64,000 to 283,000 jobs.

Source: FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis) · updated 18 Oct 2026, 14:01 UTC

Educational information, not investment advice.

Consumer discretionary
Usually hurts
Fewer jobs mean fewer paychecks, so people cut back on spending.
Financials
Usually hurts
When people lose jobs, more borrowers fall behind on loans and banks set aside more money for losses.
Industrials
Usually hurts
A weaker job market often signals a slowing economy, with fewer orders for machines, transport and building.
Utilities
Usually helps
People still pay for electricity and water, and a weaker job market makes rate cuts more likely, which makes steady dividends look more appealing.
Real Estate
Mixed
Rate cuts become more likely, which helps, but fewer jobs also means fewer people able to buy or rent.
Tech
Mixed
Rate cuts become more likely, which helps, but slower spending can hurt sales.
Broad market
Mixed
A weaker job market hurts company sales but makes rate cuts more likely. The two effects often pull in opposite directions.
ETF treated as one group, approximate.
Consumer staples
Mixed
Spending on basics holds up when jobs are scarce, but some shoppers switch to cheaper store brands.