Private sector employment fell last month, but wage growth is still on the rise. The unemployment rate is fairly low by historical standards.

Labor costs are a big component of the cost of services, and consumer spending on services accounts for nearly half of this economy.

The number of people who’ve been unemployed for two weeks or longer hasn’t been this high since late 2021.

Economist Mohamed El-Erian expressed concern, as consumers and businesses pull back spending and investors appear to question the role of the U.S. dollar.

Undocumented workers form a key part of the economy in a number of industries.

Data out Tuesday from The Conference Board indicates consumers think the tub is draining faster than it’s filling up.

Among the resilient sectors: health care and AI.

Economic uncertainty is seeping into consumer expectations, which can become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy, an Aspen Institute economist says.

At the end of the day, consumers need jobs and stable income, says labor economist Elizabeth Crofoot of Lightcast.

Delinquencies have been rising for credit cards and auto loans.