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September Employment Situation

                September 2019       August  2019
	
		     	               Survey   Actual  Prior   Revised
US Employees on Nonfarm Payroll	       145k	136k	130k	168k
Change in Private Payrolls	       130k	114k	96k	122k
Change in Manufacturing Payrolls	 3k	-2k	3k	2k
US Unemployment Rate, Total	        3.70%	3.50%	3.70%	--
US Average Hourly Earnings,  MoM	0.20%	0.00%	0.40%	--
US Average Hourly Earnings,  YoY	3.20%	2.90%	3.20%	--
US Average Weekly Hours	34.4	        34.4	 34.4    34.4	--
US Labor Force Participation Rate	63.20%	63.20%	63.20%	--

HEADLINES
Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 136,000 in September, a bit less than expected by economists surveyed. However, revisions from prior months added 45,000 more jobs than had been previously measured. Ironically, August’s original report showed an increase of 130,000, much less than the anticipated 160,000. That number has since been revised up to 168,000.
Unemployment came in at 3.5%, the lowest level since I was in elementary school in 1969.

WHY DO I CARE?

This employment report closes the third quarter, and earnings season starts in a few days. It will be closely examined for clues as to the strength of the economy in the quarter and the resulting impact on earnings announcements. But remember, the report is a lagging indicator and gives us limited insight as to what lies ahead for the end of the year.

WAS THERE A BIG SURPRISE?

There were two surprises in the report. First, the 0.2% drop in the unemployment rate leaves the level at a 50-year low. Second, there was no change in hourly earnings for the month. This means that although more people are working than at any other time in five decades, there was no monthly increase in the price of labor. This implies an increase in supply, though the labor force participation rate was unchanged.

Over the last 50 years, from the time that baby-boomers entered the workforce to the time they began to leave, unemployment has vacillated between 5% and 7%, with several peaks during recessions. In 2015, the level dropped below 5%, and we have now reached a new recent low. We are clearly at full employment. At these levels, it is not unusual to see modest increases in the nonfarm payroll number simply because there are not that many more people to employ. However, it is curious to see softness in wages. The year-over-year change was the lowest since July last year and is not a welcome trend: It may imply that while jobs remain plentiful, the higher-paying job market is weakening.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bloomberg, CataMetrics Management, LLC

The market is likely to welcome this news. The Federal Reserve may see the decline in the wage rate as further confirmation that a shift is warranted from raising the funds rate to lowering it.
The next employment report comes out on Friday, November 1, 2019.

HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT GET THIS DATA?
Household Survey Data asks people if they are working, worked last month, are looking for work, etc. This forms the basis of the civilian labor force and the unemployment rate. If someone is not working and not looking for work, the survey does not consider them part of the labor force. If they want to work, (and are not in the military or in an institution such as prison), they are counted as part of the labor force. Dividing the number of people looking for and available for work but not working at the time of the survey by the number of people in the workforce gives the unemployment rate.
Taking those either looking for work or working and dividing it by the entire adult noninstitutional population (16 years and older) who are either employed or unemployed gives the Labor Force Participation Rate. The unemployment rate can go down by fewer people looking for work (decrease in the numerator) or more people working (increase in the denominator).
Establishment Survey Data is based on tax and withholdings filings. If you are paying
payroll taxes, you are on the Nonfarm Payroll list. Hours worked and hourly earnings
both come from this survey. It is considered more accurate (has a smaller margin
of error) because it looks at a much larger sample of people, but it does not include
self-employed people, who are not listed on payroll employment records (temporary
employees), agricultural workers and household workers.

To read the full article click here .

Erik Olsen is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of CataMetrics Management, LLC. Catametrics provides portfolio-construction methodologies, strategic marketing and investment-management expertise to investment advisers and their clients.
Disclaimer
The above is the opinion of the author and should not be relied upon as investment advice or a forecast of the future. It is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or implement any investment strategy. It is for informational purposes only. The above statistics, data, anecdotes and opinions are assumed to be true and accurate however 3D Asset Management does not warrant the
accuracy of any of these. There is also no assurance that any of the above is all inclusive or complete. 3D does not approve or otherwise endorse the information contained in links to third-party sources. 3D is not affiliated with the providers of third-party information and is not responsible for the accuracy
of the information contained therein.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. None of the services offered by 3D Asset Management are insured by the FDIC and the reader is reminded that all investments contain risk. The opinions offered
above are as of August 15, 2019 and are subject to change as influencing factors change.
More detail regarding 3D Asset Management, its products, services, personnel, fees and investment methodologies are available in the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A which is available upon request by calling (860) 291-1998, option 2 or emailing sales@3dadvisor.com or visiting 3D’s website at www.3dadvisor.com

By: Benjamin Lavine