This Job Market Is Weaker Than It Looks

Wall Street Journal: “The good news has been that layoff activity has remained relatively low, with employers hanging on to workers despite worries about the economy. And wage growth remains decent. But economic uncertainty has slowed the pace of hiring.”

“People who have jobs are keeping them, but those who want jobs are having a tough time finding work. That includes recent high-school and college graduates, people who are back on the job hunt after an absence, and those who have been fired.”

“That has created a stagnant market, where there is little movement even when new jobs are added. It is an environment where a bit more hiring could rekindle job growth, while a slight pickup in layoffs could make the labor market more stuck.”