August jobs report is expected to show modest payroll growth

The August U.S. jobs report, due Friday, is expected to show a gain of about 53,000 nonfarm payrolls, according to the Dow Jones consensus estimate. That would follow June and July figures that together showed a small net loss of jobs, underscoring a labor market that has been growing slowly through the summer. Economists say the job market remains in a lowhire, lowfire pattern. Uncertainty around geopolitics, tariffs, energy prices, and artificial intelligence spending has weighed on hiring, while a smaller labor force has helped keep unemployment stable. The report is also likely to matter for Federal Reserve policy. Fed officials have said inflation is a bigger concern than employment right now, and recent comments suggest they view the labor market as steady enough to avoid immediate worry. Some economists expect only modest job gains and a possible slight rise in the unemployment rate, while noting that layoffs have remained relatively limited.