[Lou L]

I don't want to sound conspiratorial, but for these numbers to have dropped a half a percent in one reporting period seems awfully fishy. One only need to ask the question, "what has changed?" to cause this improvement?

There have been no new trade deals, no new legislation (or overturned legislation), no other signs that would drive employers to hire so many people. In fact, that last UE report indicated there were MORE unemployed. The only explanation would be that there is some short-term hiring as a result of holiday sales.

Sorry, I'm not buying it.

[kevao]

what has changed?

315,000 fewer people than last month are being counted. These are discouraged workers who have given up actively looking for work, and thus are no longer considered unemployed. Isn't government great?