U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, a sudden reversal

The U.S. economy shed 23,000 jobs in July, a sign that the labor market had not stabilized after four months of positive growth. The unemployment rate ticked down only slightly to 4.1%. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones were expecting the release to show 83,000 added roles, more than June’s 57,000. In yet another troubling sign for the labor market, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that it revised down the prior two months by a combined 103,000. May’s jobs total was cut by 66,000 to 129,000 total jobs added, while June’s total was lowered by 37,000 to a total gain of 57,000. The hiring data comes against a complicated economic backdrop. The U.S. war with Iran continues without any kind of agreement to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, energy prices remain elevated, even if they are off their highest levels of the year.