Free Trial

MNI BRIEF: US Labor Costs Increase 0.9%, Below Expectations

Photo by Arron Choi on Unsplash

The Employment Cost Index, the broadest measure of U.S. labor costs, rose 0.9% last quarter after gaining 1.1% in the July-September period, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. The 12-month rate fell to 4.2% from 4.3% in the previous quarter.

The ECI is widely viewed by policymakers and economists as one of the better measures of labor market slack and a predictor of core inflation. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues are looking for deceleration in the employment cost index and for nominal wages to cool to around 3.5%.

Wages and salaries increased 0.9% last quarter, down from 1.2% in the prior quarter, and eased to 4.3% over the year. Private sector compensation rose 0.9%, down from 1.0% in the last quarter. For all workers excluding incentive-paid occupations the growth rate over the year slipped to 4.2% from 4.4% the previous quarter.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

MNI Washington Bureau | +1 202-371-2121 | evan.ryser@marketnews.com
MNI Washington Bureau | +1 202-371-2121 | evan.ryser@marketnews.com

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.