Headline Unemployment Rate Holds At 9.7%, U6 Up To 16.8%

[cieldumort]

WSJ Real Time Economics
Broader U-6 Unemployment Rate Increases to 16.8% in February

The U.S. jobless rate was unchanged at 9.7% in February, following a decline the previous month, but the government’s broader measure of unemployment ticked up 0.3 percentage point to 16.8%.

The comprehensive gauge of labor underutilization, known as the “U-6″ for

Comments

[theheretic]

Sure is a good thing that the stock market jumped up 100 points today thanks to claims that unemployment is easing... except that it isn't.

It will be interesting seeing what enforced long term unemployment does to families in America over the next decade.

[cieldumort]

I think there's been some actual job growth this quarter - just under the govt. radar for now. This will probably get revised up in later revisions, perhaps next year's benchmark. The household survey shows small biz hiring, a bit.

The potential for another recession starting later this year could really wipe any of the first half's gains out, tho.