US employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs; mortgage rates rise again
- U.S. employers cut 23,000 jobs last month, contrary to expectations of job creation.
- The unemployment rate fell to 4.1% due to a decrease in the labor force participation rate.
- Local public schools cut 50,000 jobs, while restaurants and bars cut 26,000 jobs.
- The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose to 6.69%, the highest in over a year.
- Higher mortgage rates may delay home purchases and contribute to sluggish home sales.
U.S. employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs last month, marking a significant reversal in the labor market. The Labor Department also revised previous payroll figures, reducing job counts by 103,000 for May and June. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, but this was primarily due to a decline in the number of people actively seeking work, as 264,000 individuals left the labor market.
In July, local public schools cut 50,000 jobs, while restaurants and bars reduced their workforce by 26,000. Retailers also saw a decrease, cutting 19,000 positions. Despite the drop in the unemployment rate to its lowest level since June 2025, the decline was attributed to fewer people competing for jobs rather than an increase in employment.
Additionally, the average long-term mortgage rate in the U.S. rose for the fifth consecutive week, reaching 6.69%, the highest level in over a year. This rise in mortgage rates adds significant costs for prospective homebuyers, potentially limiting their purchasing power and contributing to a slowdown in home sales.
美国雇主意外裁员23,000个职位；抵押贷款利率再次上升
美国雇主上个月意外裁减了23,000个职位，标志着劳动市场的显著逆转。劳动部还修正了之前的就业数据，将5月和6月的职位数量减少了103,000个。失业率降至4.1%，但这主要是由于积极寻找工作的人员减少，264,000人退出了劳动市场。
在7月，地方公立学校裁减了50,000个职位，而餐饮业减少了26,000个职位。零售商也出现了减少，裁减了19,000个职位。尽管失业率降至2025年6月以来的最低水平，但这一下降是由于竞争工作的人数减少，而非就业人数的增加。
此外，美国长期抵押贷款的平均利率连续第五周上升，达到了6.69%，为一年多以来的最高水平。这一抵押贷款利率的上升给潜在购房者增加了显著的成本，可能限制他们的购买力，并导致房屋销售放缓。