US economy added 130K jobs in January, delayed report shows

• January job gains of 130K nearly doubled economist forecasts of 70K, signaling stronger-than-expected labor market performance
• Unemployment rate decreased to 4.3%, below the expected 4.4%
• Payroll figures for November and December were revised downward by a combined 17,000 jobs (November down to 41K, December to 48K)

Summary: U.S. January Jobs Report Shows Steady Growth

The U.S. economy added 130,000 jobs in January 2026, significantly exceeding economist expectations of 70,000 jobs, according to the delayed Labor Department report released Wednesday. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, slightly better than the anticipated 4.4%.

Key Figures and Revisions

The report included downward revisions to previous months' data:

• November employment: Revised down 15,000 jobs (from 56,000 to 41,000)
• December employment: Revised down 2,000 jobs (from 50,000 to 48,000)
• Combined revision: 17,000 fewer jobs than previously reported for November-December

Market Implications

The solid job growth presents a mixed picture for the Federal Reserve as it evaluates potential interest rate cuts in coming months. The better-than-expected headline number, combined with a lower unemployment rate, suggests continued labor market resilience despite recent economic headwinds.

The data indicates employers maintained steady hiring momentum entering 2026, potentially complicating the Fed's decision-making process regarding monetary policy easing. A robust labor market typically reduces urgency for rate cuts, as it signals economic strength and potential inflationary pressure from wage growth.

Context

The report was delayed from its typical release schedule. The article notes ongoing discussions about AI's impact on American jobs and wages, with global business advisor Ram Charan addressing technology's role in employment trends.

*Note: The provided article content did not include sector-specific breakdowns of job gains or losses.*