Industry Briefs

First American Financial Corp., Santa Ana, Calif., a provider of title insurance, settlement services and risk services for real estate transactions, and Docutech, a provider of document, eClose and fulfillment technology for the mortgage industry, signed an agreement for First American’s acquisition of Docutech.

January Jobs Report Beats Expectations

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 225,000 in January, beating economists’ expectations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday.

Employers Add 128,000 Jobs in October

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 128,000 in October, while the unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.6 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.

Fed Drops Funds Rate for 3rd Time This Year

The Federal Open Market Committee, as expected, cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points following conclusion of yesterday’s policy meeting.