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US jobless rate at 26-year high US jobless rate at 26-year high
(about 10 hours later)
US employers cut 216,000 jobs in August, pushing the unemployment rate up to 9.7%, a 26-year high, official figures show.US employers cut 216,000 jobs in August, pushing the unemployment rate up to 9.7%, a 26-year high, official figures show.
The unemployment rate rose after dipping to 9.4% in July but the Labor Department said the job loss figure was the smallest in a year.The unemployment rate rose after dipping to 9.4% in July but the Labor Department said the job loss figure was the smallest in a year.
Since the start of the recession in December 2007, the economy has shed 6.9 million jobs, the department said.Since the start of the recession in December 2007, the economy has shed 6.9 million jobs, the department said.
Jobs have been lost across manufacturing and service industries.Jobs have been lost across manufacturing and service industries.
Total unemployment stands at 14.9 million.Total unemployment stands at 14.9 million.
Taking encouragementTaking encouragement
Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to rise to 9.5% and job reductions to total 225,000.Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to rise to 9.5% and job reductions to total 225,000.
AUGUST JOB LOSSES BY SECTOR Construction: 65,000Manufacturing: 63,000Financial: 28,000Professional and business services: 22,000Government: 18,000Retail: 9,600 Source: US Labor Department A US boom town goes bust
Although there have been signs that the US economy is now recovering from the worst recession in 70 years, unemployment has remained high and could dampen any economic rebound.Although there have been signs that the US economy is now recovering from the worst recession in 70 years, unemployment has remained high and could dampen any economic rebound.
AUGUST JOB LOSSES BY SECTOR Construction: 65,000Manufacturing: 63,000Financial: 28,000Professional and business services: 22,000Government: 18,000Retail: 9,600 Source: US Labor Department
However, Nigel Gault, chief US economist at IHS Global Insight, said that the rise in the jobless rate was not too discouraging.However, Nigel Gault, chief US economist at IHS Global Insight, said that the rise in the jobless rate was not too discouraging.
"The decline last month was too good to be true, really. It's too early for the unemployment rate to be coming down, of course we're still losing jobs," he said."The decline last month was too good to be true, really. It's too early for the unemployment rate to be coming down, of course we're still losing jobs," he said.
"What I would take encouragement from is the fact is the trend in the rate of decline in jobs is still improving, that private sector jobs were down 198,000, that's 50,000 better than the previous month and it's almost 200,000 better than the month before that.""What I would take encouragement from is the fact is the trend in the rate of decline in jobs is still improving, that private sector jobs were down 198,000, that's 50,000 better than the previous month and it's almost 200,000 better than the month before that."
Most cuts were seen in the construction industry, with 65,000 jobs lost in the month.Most cuts were seen in the construction industry, with 65,000 jobs lost in the month.
Health care and educational services was the only bright spot, adding 52,000 jobs.Health care and educational services was the only bright spot, adding 52,000 jobs.


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