US unemployment rate rises to 4.4% in September

U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.4 percent in September, up 0.1 percentage point compared to the previous month, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday.

The number of unemployed people increased to 7.6 million in September, up from 7.4 million in August, and the number of the long-term unemployed, being jobless for 27 weeks or more, dipped to 1.8 million in September.

The United States added 119,000 to the total nonfarm payrolls in September, higher than the market consensus of 50,000, including 43,000 new jobs from the health care sector, 37,000 from food service and drinking places, and 14,000 from social assistance.

Payrolls in the transportation and warehousing sector declined by 25,000 in September and federal government employment continued to shrink with another loss of 3,000 jobs.

Notably, the increase in U.S. nonfarm payroll employment for July was revised down by 7,000 to 72,000, while August data was revised down by 26,000 to negative 4,000, with combined employment in both months 33,000 lower than previously reported.

Employment data for September, originally scheduled to be released on Oct. 3, was delayed by the record-long federal government shutdown.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the employment data for October will be released on Dec. 16, along with the employment report for November.