MBA Economist Weighs In on Q1 GDP Figures

The Bureau of Economic Analysis April 30 released Q1 gross domestic product advance estimate data, finding that it increased at an annual rate of 2%.

Chart of the Week: Monthly Payroll Growth and Unemployment Rates

In February 2026, with job losses in health care due to labor strikes, there was nothing left to support aggregate job growth, and total nonfarm payrolls declined by 92,000. Furthermore, job growth for December and January was revised down by a total of 69,000. Wage growth increased slightly to 3.8% over the past year.