Flash Report: Unemployment Rises Slightly, Job Growth Slows in September

… <p><em>The Flash Report periodically highlights notable economic data releases. This analysis is part of ongoing work by St. Louis Fed economists to understand the U.S. and regional economy.</em></p> </div> <!-- first key takeaways section --> <div class="key-takeaways"> <h2>KEY TAKEAWAYS</h2> <div class="key-takeaway-text"> <ul> <li>The U.S. unemployment rate rose from 4.1% in August to 4.2% in September, a value similar to its 12-month average. More precise data show the rate increased slightly from 4.141% to 4.175%.</li> <li>This very modest uptick was primarily driven by the combination of two offsetting forces: fewer unemployed people chose to stop looking for work and leave the labor force, and more unemployed people found jobs.</li> <li>Nonfarm payroll growth slowed in September to 29,000 jobs &mdash; less than half as many as forecasts expected.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <!-- side by side FRED chart and callout --> …