Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 151,000 in February, and the unemployment rate changed little at 4.1 percent, according to the latest figures from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs trended up within such major employment sectors health care, financial activities, transportation and warehousing, and social assistance, while the federal government’s numbers began to show the impact of the Trump administration’s efforts to pare Uncle’s Sam’s workforce, dropping by 10,000.
February’s total nonfarm payroll employment increase of 151,000 in February was somewhat lower than the average monthly gain of 168,000 over the prior 12 months.
Employment in the retail trade changed little over the month (-6,000) and has shown little net change over the year. With that sector, employment in food and beverage retailers declined by 15,000, largely due to strike activity while payrolls at warehouse clubs, supercenters and other general merchandise retailers grew by 10,000 jobs.
Many analysts said it’s hard to predict what’s coming next for the economy based on the February numbers. “[This] data was mixed at best, but we still have no clarity on the economy moving forward with the Trump turmoil,” Byron Anderson, Head of Fixed Income at Laffer Tengler Investments told CNBC.
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
