WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S.
employers
added 171,000 jobs in October, and hiring was stronger in August and September
than first thought. The unemployment rate inched up to 7.9 percent from 7.8
percent in September.
The Labor
Department's last look at hiring before Tuesday's election sketched a picture
of a job market that's gradually gaining momentum after nearly stalling in the
spring.
Since
July, the economy has created an average of 173,000 jobs a month. That's up
from 67,000 a month from April through June.
Still,
President Barack Obama will face voters with the highest unemployment rate of
any incumbent since Franklin Roosevelt. The rate rose in October because more
people began seeking work and were counted as unemployed. The government counts
people without jobs as unemployed only if they're looking for one.
The work
force — the number of people either working or looking for work — rose by
578,000. And 410,000 more people said they were employed. The number of
unemployed increased 170,000 to 12.3 million, pushing up the unemployment rate.
added 171,000 jobs in October, and hiring was stronger in August and September
than first thought. The unemployment rate inched up to 7.9 percent from 7.8
percent in September.
The Labor
Department's last look at hiring before Tuesday's election sketched a picture
of a job market that's gradually gaining momentum after nearly stalling in the
spring.
Since
July, the economy has created an average of 173,000 jobs a month. That's up
from 67,000 a month from April through June.
Still,
President Barack Obama will face voters with the highest unemployment rate of
any incumbent since Franklin Roosevelt. The rate rose in October because more
people began seeking work and were counted as unemployed. The government counts
people without jobs as unemployed only if they're looking for one.
The work
force — the number of people either working or looking for work — rose by
578,000. And 410,000 more people said they were employed. The number of
unemployed increased 170,000 to 12.3 million, pushing up the unemployment rate.
