American employers unexpectedly cut 92,000 jobs last month, signaling strain in the labor market. The unemployment rate increased to 4.4 percent.
Hiring slowed significantly from January, when 126,000 jobs were added. Revisions also reduced December and January payrolls by 69,000.
Construction companies shed 11,000 jobs, likely due to frigid weather, while healthcare firms lost 28,000 positions following a strike.
The job market's outlook remains clouded by economic uncertainties, including the lingering effects of past tariff policies and high interest rates.
Businesses are adapting to tariff costs and potentially integrating new technologies like artificial intelligence, which could impact future hiring needs.
Many employers are adopting a "no-hire, no-fire" approach, hesitant to add new workers while retaining their current staff.