U.S. Adds 261,000 Jobs in October, Jobless Rate 4.1%

In October, 261,000 jobs were created, with 252,000 in the private sector. September's job losses were revised to a gain of 18,000, and August saw an upward revision of 39,000 jobs. Unemployment fell to 4.1%, the lowest since December 2000, but 764,000 people left the labor force. Average hourly earnings remained unchanged, reducing the annual average to 2.4%. The EU 6 unemployment rate dropped to 7.9%, the lowest since December 2006. Despite a hurricane snapback, the economic recovery was less impressive than expected.

How many jobs were created in October, and how does this compare to the consensus?

• 261,000 jobs, which is more than the consensus

• 261,000 jobs, which is less than the consensus

• 252,000 jobs, which is more than the consensus

• 252,000 jobs, which is less than the consensus

What was the revised job creation figure for September?

• 33,000 jobs lost

• 18,000 jobs created

• 252,000 jobs created

• 39,000 jobs created

What is the main reason for the drop in the unemployment rate to 4.1%?

• Increase in job creation

• Decrease in job creation

• People leaving the labor force

• Increase in average hourly earnings

What happened to average hourly earnings in October?

• They increased by 0.5%

• They increased by 1.0%

• They decreased by 0.5%

• They remained unchanged

What is the significance of the EU 6 unemployment rate falling to 7.9%?

• It is the highest since December 2006

• It is the lowest since December 2000

• It is the lowest since December 2006

• It is the highest since December 2000